KENINGAU: Dato’ Victor P. Paut envisions transforming Keningau into a recognized tourist destination while strengthening its agricultural sector, provided he is given the mandate to lead PGRS P.180 Keningau.
He noted that the Keningau parliamentary area, made up of the three state constituencies—Tambunan, Liawan, and Bingkor—boasts distinct strengths in both farming and tourism. Yet, he stressed, new leadership and innovative strategies are essential to drive economic advancement in the region.
In an exclusive interview, Victor, who currently leads PGRS N39 Tambunan, highlighted the need for leadership renewal to ensure long-term progress for the Keningau community.
He pointed out that the effort to secure Sabah’s rights, including the 40 percent allocation, has now become an official state government initiative rather than a standalone cause.
“Moving forward, our focus must shift decisively toward sustainable development, income-generating activities, and improving the quality of life across Keningau.
For years, the people here have centered their attention on the fight for Sabah’s rights, which, while important, has sometimes overshadowed local development and community welfare.
“We acknowledge this struggle, especially as it is now being actively pursued by the State Government for the people’s benefit.”
“Therefore, it is time for us to consider the needs of the people of Keningau, as this is the true agenda in today’s political leadership,” he explained.
Victor stated that the Keningau district is rich in natural resources; however, the production has not yet reached broader markets because farmers and producers in this area are still confined to local markets only.
“Action must be taken to enable agricultural entrepreneurs in this district to explore wider domestic markets, even reaching a global level.
“The same applies to our tourism sector in Keningau.
“We have many attractive locations based on natural beauty, such as rivers, waterfalls, and hills,” he added.
He emphasised that the homestay facilities in this district need to be upgraded, similar to those in other tourist areas in Sabah.
Improvements in terms of ‘reasonable pricing’ based on service, internal facilities, and available amenities must be enhanced.
“The people of Keningau need something to strengthen economic growth so that purchasing power exists among traders and entrepreneurs.
Without strong purchasing power, the economy will move slowly, and progress will be hindered from all angles, affecting job opportunities as well,” he further stated.
He mentioned that the youth today urgently need a significant boost in any field they are interested in, including business, entrepreneurship, and automotive.
Encouragement and opportunities must be created so that they do not consider migrating elsewhere to seek a livelihood.
“This is what I will advocate for if given the mandate to lead PGRS P.180 Keningau. Even without the title of Member of Parliament, our dream of seeing Keningau advance and be competitive must be the primary focus for the welfare and prosperity of the people in Keningau in the future,” he reiterated.
