Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Saturday announced the approval of a RM235mil loan to the Sabah government to build a new water treatment plant for the 200,000 people in Keningau.
The prime minister said the loan documents were being prepared and the project would be implemented soon after the paper work had been completed.
Najib said the project encompassed, among others, the construction of five storage tanks and a 42.8-km long transmission main, with construction work to take up to 35 months.
Speaking at the launch of the Sabah Handicraft Centre here, the prime minister said: “I have not come empty-handed. I have come because several months back Sabah leaders asked me to do something for Keningau.
“(Deputy Chief Minister) Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan made the proposal and was supported by Datuk Seri Musa Aman as the chief minister of Sabah.
“Each time I get into the helicopter with Pairin and Musa, they only convey this (to me). I told them to wait for my visit to Keningau and that I will make an announcement.” Najib said he was convinced that Sabah remained a fixed deposit for the Barisan and advised the people to continue to support the ruling government.