Federal government allocates RM2 million to rebuild Pasar Gantung

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the matter at a Rastamas Group Aidilfitri Open House here today.

He said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman had asked for the federal government's concern on the fate of 77 stall owners who were affected in the incident.

"Musa whispered to me that there were 77 stalls at the Pasar Gantung here and was confident of the federal government's concern for those affected.

"So, I announce a federal government's aid of RM2 million to rebuild the stalls and I hope the traders can continue their activities," he said.

He ordered the Implementation Co-Ordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department and Sabah State Development Office to carry out work to repair Pasar Gantung promptly.

Also present at the event were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Rastamas Group managing director Datuk Tahir Picu.

Earlier in his speech, Ahmad Zahid praised the effort by the Rastamas Group of companies which balanced their corporate social contributions by giving out considerable contributions for charity in the country, particularly in this state.

“It is a good example when we share out the profits that we make according to Islamic principles,” he said.

At the event, Ahmad Zahid handed out Raya contributions from Kumpulan Rastamas to orphans from the Ar Raudhah Orphanage.

In addition, he also handed out contributions from the Tawau UMNO Economic Bureau and the Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce to 77 owners of the booths that were destroyed in the fire at Pasar Gantung.

Ahmad Zahid also witnessed the handing over of a replica of the TEKUN cheque for RM279,000 from the Sabah TEKUN general manager Salim Abidin to borrowers who were victims of the fire whose stalls were destroyed.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid spent about 20 minutes at the Aidilfitri Open House organised by the Sabah Bugis Community Association (PKBS) which was attended by about 1,000 members of the Bugis community here.