PULAU BANGGI – Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim concluded his working visit to Banggi Island with a strong commitment to advancing education, infrastructure, and security for the northern Sabah community.
At the Kobong Open Hall in Karakit, the Prime Minister celebrated with residents and praised the extraordinary response from the local community.
He emphasised the importance of education as a tool to uplift families and secure a brighter future for children on the island.
“I believe that children on Pulau Banggi have great potential to succeed if given the right opportunities and support,” he said, urging teachers, the District Education Office, and the State Education Department to devise additional measures to improve student performance at SMK Banggi.
The Prime Minister recalled his earlier involvement in the island’s educational development, noting his role in laying the foundation stone for SMK Banggi in 1994.
Today, the school stands as the only secondary institution on the island, providing vital access to education for local youth who previously faced challenges travelling to Kudat for further studies.
Highlighting Pulau Banggi’s achievements, Anwar also commended the NADI Centre, which was recognised internationally at the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva.
He said the recognition proved that even remote communities could achieve world-class success when given fair access and opportunities.
In his address, Anwar announced an allocation of more than RM33 million to accelerate development projects across the island.
These include upgrading roads, bridges, jetties, police stations, clinics, and school dormitories, alongside other essential facilities.
He assured residents that despite the island’s distance from the mainland, Pulau Banggi would not be marginalised under the MADANI Government.
The visit also included a stop at Pos Dogoton, a forward security post near Philippine waters. There, the Prime Minister and his delegation received operational briefings and observed radar systems used to monitor threats such as smuggling and cross-border crime.
He praised the discipline and patriotism of the Malaysian Armed Forces personnel stationed in challenging terrain, recognising their role in safeguarding national sovereignty.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah & Sarawak), Mustapha Sakmud, who accompanied Anwar, reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring comprehensive development in rural and island areas.
He highlighted additional allocations for education, human development, green technology, and health programmes, as well as upgrades to enforcement facilities such as the Dogoton jetty.
Community leaders welcomed the announcements, noting that basic infrastructure such as roads, schools, clinics, and security facilities are crucial foundations for improving living standards and opening economic opportunities.
The initiatives are expected to enhance connectivity, strengthen public services, and provide long-term benefits for the younger generation in the archipelago.
As Anwar departed Pulau Banggi, he expressed gratitude for the warm reception and reaffirmed his dedication to continuing the legacy of development he began more than three decades ago.
The visit underscored the government’s determination to ensure that even the most remote communities are included in Malaysia’s national progress.
