Sabah wants MCMC to boost internet connectivity in rural tourist destinations

 

Assistant minister to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir said there is an urgent need of telecommunication infrastructure in several villages in the outskirts of the Kota Kinabalu constituency. - NSTP/courtesy of Kota Kinabalu City Hall

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is hopeful that relevant agencies would provide the necessary telecommunication infrastructure at homestays in the state.

Assistant minister to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir said there is an urgent need of telecommunication infrastructure in several villages in the outskirts of the Kota Kinabalu constituency.

"There is no signal here, the internet is very crucial for these homestay owners to promote and market their homestays.

"I hope the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) can come to this area and do the necessary," he said after officiating the "Homestay Id Kalangadan", near here.

Abidin said Covid-19 has not deterred villages in the Kota Kinabalu District from preparing for the arrival of tourists once the pandemic is over.

Apart from transforming their unoccupied rooms or houses into homestays, 16 participants from Kg Bambangan Baru, Kg PoringPoring, Kg Marahang, Kg Tombongan, and Kg Kokol completed the homestay course conducted by the City Hall and Institute for Rural Advancement (INFRA).

It is the second rural homestay program launched in the Kota Kinabalu rural area after the first, known as "Homestay Desa Cinta Kobuni" was held on March 18, 2018.

The former mayor also called upon villagers to combine their efforts in creating more community-based tourism activities to complement the accommodations that are already available.

"I applaud the close cooperation among the villagers from various villages. I was given to understand that those participants whose homestays launched earlier went on and mentored this batch of homestay owners.

"Such rural tourism initiatives can help to uplift the socio-economy of the rural community in that area."

In another briefing session on the progress of the Kota Kinabalu District Plan, Abidin also reminded the City Hall to protect the natural biodiversity to ensure that sensitive areas, like water catchment or water sources to the villages, are well protected.

"We have beautiful countryside comprising islands, low land and hilly areas that are 1,500 feet above sea level. The scenery from the hilltop is majestic, beautiful and peaceful.

"The flora and fauna are attractive, and will be beneficial to the local people and tourists," he said, adding the district plan will be the guideline to ensure that developments in the countryside are carried out systematically and according to the plan.