He said the upgrading would provide comfort to the more than 100 entrepreneurs at the market as well as customers.

“Although the Barisan Nasional (BN) has not won Penampang (parliamentary seat), the BN government has never neglected the people here.

“I came down to visit Penampang because the BN government is always concerned about the welfare of all the people,” he said.

Najib also said if the people in Sabah continued to give their mandate to BN to lead the government, BN would bring more progress to the state.

The cooperation would be further strengthened with the existing close ties between the federal and state governments, he said.

“Every year, we have gone through stable political development, driven by rapid national growth.

“For Sabah, the BN government led by me has approved billions of ringgit for the development of the state.”

Najib also called for the support of the people to help the government in achieving national aspirations to become among the most developed nations in the world by 2050.

About 5,000 residents in the district turned up to welcome Najib.

Najib, wearing the traditional headgear of the Kadazan community known as “sigah”, arrived at the market area at 4pm.

He was accompanied by Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Wilfred Madius Tangau.

Najib also took the opportunity to taste the local fruits at the market. He was served coconut water and ate fruits such as “tarap”, durian and mangosteen.

Earlier, during his visit to Labuan, Najib expressed support for Labuan’s desire to become an international water sports hub with the organisation of the Powerboat P1 World Cup.

He said the vision, to be realised with the involvement of the Labuan Development Foundation, Labuan Marine Motorsports Malaysia Limited and Yin Fu Labuan Investment Corporation, would help boost Labuan tourism.

The Powerboat P1 international boat race, dubbed the Labuan Grand Prix of the Sea, is to be held annually for at least five years.

The event, under the auspices of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the international governing body of powerboating, will make Labuan a popular destination through international media coverage.

While in the duty-free island, Najib launched the Labuan Development Blueprint 2030.

He hoped the Labuan Financial Services Authority’s Financial Transformation Plan would bring the desired impact.

He said the federal government was finding ways to make the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (IBFC) trigger more meaningful economic activities on the island.