SANDAKAN: N50 Gum-Gum Assemblyman, Yang Berhormat Arunarnsin Taib, has once again proposed upgrading Tamu Gum-Gum into a tourist stopover centre and a Rest and Recreation (R&R) area to provide comfort for road users while creating more economic opportunities for local residents.
According to him, the Tamu Gum-Gum area has great potential to be developed as a strategic stopover location and could serve as a catalyst for the economic growth of the surrounding community.
He said the proposal also includes efforts to transform Tamu Gum-Gum into a cultural, handicraft and local market centre by providing sales spaces for souvenirs, traditional clothing, handicraft products, ethnic heritage products and goods produced by local residents.
He stated that such efforts would not only help increase the income of the local community but also introduce the culture and identity of Sabah’s communities to tourists.
He added that he would not give up in fighting for development and facilities to ensure that the Gum-Gum area continues to grow and benefit the people, particularly in terms of economy, tourism and business opportunities.
At the same time, Arunarnsin also urged the government to reassess the development plans that had previously been proposed when he was still part of the government bloc.
According to him, the Tamu Gum-Gum area deserves proper attention and should be included as one of the high-potential development locations capable of becoming a tourist stopover, cultural hub and economic centre for the local community.
He also questioned how much longer the people and community of Gum-Gum would have to wait without seeing any real progress, despite the area’s huge development potential for the benefit of future generations.
He said the matter is becoming increasingly important, especially in the era of Gen Z, where there is growing demand for a balance between development, economic opportunities and the preservation of cultural values amid modern progress.
