KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is looking to relocate villagers from Gaya Island to the mainland.
State Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that this move would transform the island, which is only a five-minute boat ride away, into a tourist destination.
"The idea has been mulled for some time, and the current state government plans to relocate the local residents of Pulau Gaya to the mainland," he said during the Kembara Kasih Ramadan programme on Gaya Island.
Hajiji said that Gaya Island could become a prime tourist attraction, given its proximity to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and several other resorts on private islands around it.
It is estimated that 4,000 islanders currently reside on Gaya Island.
"There are structures on the other side that we believe to be squatters' (dwellings). We do not want unauthorised housing to continue expanding," he said.
Hajiji said that the relocation plans involved constructing low-cost housing in Sepanggar.
He added that the state government had submitted funding requests for the housing project, which was pending approval.
Earlier, Hajiji distributed school fee assistance to 70 pupils and contributed Aidilfitri aid to the community.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, State Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Datuk Mohd. Arifin Mohd. Arif, as well as Petagas Assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Sahari.