TENOM: June 18, 2026 — A river jetty costing RM200,000 is to be built beneath the new Tenom town bridge in an effort to boost the incomes of river fishermen and create a new tourist attraction in the district.
Sabah’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, said the final design of the project is currently being finalised by the Public Works Department (JKR), the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), and Ko-Nelayan before construction commences.
According to him, the jetty will be the first facility of its kind to focus specifically on inland fishermen, while also serving as a more organised landing and sales point for river fish.
“Every morning we will hold a river fish sale in that area, which may not happen anywhere else,” he said during a visit to the project site.
In an effort to strengthen the inland fisheries industry, the government is also channelling assistance in the form of eight complete boats with engines and fishing equipment to eight inland fishermen through the Fisheries Department.
Jamawi said the assistance, worth approximately RM120,000, was a form of recognition for river fishermen, who had previously received less attention.
He said the jetty area is also being planned as a new tourism product, after the ongoing flood mitigation project is fully completed.
According to him, several stalls will be built in the area to allow visitors to enjoy sunset views beneath the new Tenom bridge.
“We may open it in the evening or late afternoon so that people from Tenom and surrounding areas can enjoy the beautiful sunset view,” he said.
At the same time, river and drain cleaning work is being stepped up to reduce the risk of flooding in residential areas and business premises in the district.
