New Penampang district officer Robert Stidi said all federal projects specifically funded under the previous prime minister’s allocation have been suspended until further notice.
“The Donggongon tamu is under the PM’s funding. We received a circular from the State Development Office that all projects that have yet to start will be suspended.
“For now, only upgrading works on the drain are being carried out,” he told FMT, adding that the district office would wait for further instructions from the government.
Former prime minister Najib Razak had announced during his visit to Penampang last January that he had approved RM8.5 million to upgrade the market.
Najib said the upgrading would improve comfort for the more than 100 traders at the market as well as their customers.
Former Penampang district officer Luvita Koisun had said that the project was scheduled to start either in March or April.
She said the new market would serve locals as well as tourists, adding it would be a disabled-friendly facility and also provide cleaner toilets.
Distinctive motifs of the Kadazandusun community, which forms the majority of residents in Penampang, were to be incorporated in the design.