Tenom strengthened with focus on infrastructure and agriculture

16 February 2026

TENOM: The people of Melalap must continue working together and striving diligently to develop Tenom into a more progressive district.

The State Assemblyman (ADUN) for Melalap, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, made the call before some 3,000 members of the Chinese community and local residents at the Melalap State Constituency Chinese New Year celebration held at Malleh Square here recently.

Jamawi said that within his first 75 days as the people’s representative and as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, among his key priorities has been upgrading the drainage system, which had long been a source of concern for traders.

“A total of 156 drain covers have been repaired using the ADUN’s allocation, including works to restore damaged drains,” he said.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Kapitans who assisted in coordinating the efforts.

In addition, Jamawi said he had instructed the Public Works Department (JKR) and the District Council to inspect and repair faulty street lights, with the works also carried out using his constituency allocation.

“We want Tenom to remain clean, orderly and well-lit at night. When the environment is more comfortable and attractive, tourists will come. As visitor numbers increase, business activity will grow and residents’ incomes will rise,” he said.

On the agricultural front, he revealed that construction of the Agricultural Produce Collection Centre (APCC) has reached 80 per cent completion and is expected to be fully completed in April.

He expressed hope that farmers would channel their fruit produce to the centre, which will be managed by the Rural Development Corporation (KPD), particularly in preparation for the coming fruit season.

He added that a RM1.2 million fruit processing centre will also be built along Jalan RTM and is expected to be completed within two years.

Jamawi also welcomed members of the Chinese community and others returning to Tenom for the Chinese New Year celebrations, saying their presence added vibrancy to the festivities and strengthened community unity.

He conveyed his appreciation to the organising chairman of the Melalap Chinese New Year celebration, Chew Vui Fah, and the organising committee.

Among those present were Tenom Member of Parliament Riduan Rubin; District Chief OKK Tusib Tulas; Community Development Leader (PPM) Denesly Justin; and the Chinese Kapitans of the Melalap constituency.