SANDAKAN: The upgrading of Sandakan to city status will be done between August and October, says Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (pic).

       He said the upgrading was supposed to be done early this year, but was postponed owing to certain constraints.

       "Now, Sandakan is ready. The Sandakan Municipal Council said it is ready for the implementation (upgrading to city status).

       "Of course, this would improve Sandakan’s economy and we will implement new plans,” he told reporters after closing the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) Youth Carnival here on Sunday (June 19) night.

       According to Bung Moktar, among the state's aims for granting city status was to boost Sandakan’s economy in terms of tourism and participation of small entrepreneurs.

       "For example, perhaps we will build a waterfront like in Kota Kinabalu and that will attract tourists,” he added. – Bernama