Datuk John Know… Sandakan is like a stagnant pool of water — money keeps flowing out, but nothing new is coming in.
SANDAKAN: The omission of Sandakan from the Federal Budget 2025 has raised concern over the government’s neglect of the east coast town, which continues to face economic stagnation and deteriorating infrastructure.
A former national president of Junior Chamber International Malaysia (JCI Malaysia) said Sandakan has been left out for too long despite its past contributions to Sabah’s economy and its potential as a major tourism hub.
“Sandakan is like a stagnant pool of water — money keeps flowing out, but nothing new is coming in,” he said. “Over time, the pool dries up, and naturally, the economy deteriorates. That is exactly what’s happening to Sandakan. We need a fresh flow of water — new investments, better infrastructure, and stronger tourism development — to bring life back to the city. Otherwise, we will continue to decline while other districts move forward.”
Datuk John Khoo Choo Ping made the remarks when officiating at the closing of “Little Hong Kong Food Street 3.0” on Saturday night, an event organised by JCI Sandakan at Sandakan Chinese High School. He stressed that his speech was not political but reflected deep concern over the government’s apparent neglect of the district.
He expressed disappointment that Sandakan was not mentioned in the recent budget, despite the Prime Minister’s announcement of allocations to improve Sabah’s water supply.
“The government talked about new facilities in Tawau and pipeline upgrades in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, and Sipitang, but not a single mention of Sandakan — the district facing one of the worst water crises in Sabah,” he said.
Khoo also criticised the authorities’ handling of the recent week-long water disruption, describing the bottled water distribution as “superficial and wasteful.”
“No ministers or department heads came to the ground to see what residents were going through. Bottled water only offers temporary relief and creates more plastic waste. What we need are long-term solutions,” he said.
He added that Sandakan’s tourism potential continues to be overlooked despite being home to world-renowned attractions such as the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Kinabatangan River.
“They always boast that tourist arrivals in Sabah have reached new highs, but few mention how many actually visit Sandakan,” he said, adding that state tourism leaders should visit the area and see the situation for themselves.
Khoo urged Sandakan residents to speak up and demand better representation. “We must not remain silent anymore. It’s time to stand up for our rights and dignity,” he said.
He also praised the Junior Chamber International (JCI) for organising community events that help stimulate the local economy, saying such initiatives show how grassroots efforts can bring energy and hope back to the city.
“The scale of the event may be small, but its impact is meaningful. It proves that citizens themselves can help move Sandakan forward,” he said.
Khoo, a long-time JCI member since 1969, reminded young people to take risks, learn from failure, and contribute to the betterment of society.
“Young people must not fear challenges — only by facing them can they grow into leaders who make real change,” he said.
