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abah, the Land Below the Wind, rich in cultural diversity with 35 ethnic groups and abundant natural treasures, still faces the enduring challenge of extreme poverty.
However, a glimmer of hope is starting to take shape as new initiatives and innovative approaches are introduced, all aimed at improving the lives of Sabah's most marginalised communities.
Hope is rising as various programmes are rolled out to break the cycle of poverty, providing people with employment opportunities, capital to start businesses, and affordable housing.
These efforts are not just temporary relief but long-term initiatives targeting the grassroots, with key steps including the development of more sustainable communities.
CHANGING LIVES
Jominus Sumin, 44, from the Dusun ethnic group in Tuaran, is a living example of how determination and hard work can change one's fate.
Once among the extremely poor, Jominus faced numerous challenges, supporting his family by taking on various odd jobs in the village and selling scrap materials. With only a primary school education, these were the only means he had to earn a living.
However, Jominus never resigned himself to fate. He knew that if he wanted his family to live a better life, he had to find a way out of the cycle of poverty. When an opportunity knocked on his door, he didn’t let it slip away.
Pasar Tamu in Kudat is an important initiative in an effort to improve the economic level of the local population and help the people in the district get out of the grip of extreme poverty.
“A government representative came to the village and asked if I was interested in working at a factory that was about to open nearby. I immediately accepted. I had no problem with the work because I've been used to heavy lifting since I was young,” he said.
His fortunes changed when he secured a job at a factory in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) two years ago. This opportunity came at the right time, and Jominus hasn’t looked back since, working diligently to transform his life.
“This job provides a more stable income, enough to support my wife and four children. Life is changing, slowly but surely, with hope for even better days ahead. I’m currently saving money to expand this small house into a more comfortable home,” he said, earning around RM2,000 a month.
Jominus’ children are undoubtedly happier now, enjoying a better quality of life, something that was once just a dream. Despite his factory job, Jominus continues to collect scrap materials in his spare time. Not only does this supplement his income, it also ensures that he and his family have some savings for difficult times.
With a more stable income, Jominus and his family can now enjoy amenities that were previously out of reach. They can afford better food, pay school fees more easily and even save for the future.
NEVER GIVING UP
Let's turn to the life story of Hafizah Sapi, a woman from the Bajau Samah ethnic group in Papar. Her story is heart-wrenching as she lost her husband, who was a truck driver, eight years ago.
Her husband was the primary breadwinner, and after his sudden death from a heart attack at the age of around 33, Hafizah had to take on various jobs, including sewing clothes, to support herself and her two children, who were 11 and 9 years old at the time. Life was incredibly challenging, as they were trapped in extreme poverty with no certainty about the future.
However, life’s hurdles taught Hafizah to be resilient and not to dwell on her husband's death. Over two years ago, she received a start-up grant of RM1,000 from the state government to set up a small food stall. At 36, Hafizah began selling her goods at the Tamu Papar and night markets around the district.
The redevelopment of Gerai Kelapa Bakar in Tuaran is well known among tourists and is an important initiative of the Sabah government to improve the economic level of the local population.
"With the little capital I had, plus the assistance, I started building the business from scratch. It wasn’t easy at first, but my two children helped me. This stall has been instrumental in helping me rise above the hardships," she said, her voice filled with emotion.
Starting from a small stall, Hafizah began selling various coconut-based products, such as traditional coconut desserts, fresh coconut water, and coconut milk, earning around RM300 a day.
The response was very encouraging. Gradually, her income began to increase, and Hafizah could see a significant change in their lives. Now, she can provide better necessities for her children without worry.
With the support of regular customers and the maintained quality of her products, Hafizah has successfully proven that she can escape the grip of extreme poverty, even starting with a small capital.
The small stall not only became a source of income but also gave Hafizah the confidence and strength to keep moving forward. Every day, she works hard to ensure her business continues to grow.
The stories of Jominus and Hafizah are proof that, despite difficult living conditions, with perseverance and the right opportunities, one's fate can change.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
When asked about what is needed to lift the people of Sabah out of extreme poverty, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor provided a simple yet profound answer: "opportunities." His words, though straightforward, carry a deep sense of responsibility.
Hajiji shared a personal story with the writer. He met a young Sabahan working as a waiter at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur. “This young man is still very young, and I was surprised to learn that he holds a bachelor's degree from a university," he said.
Hajiji's heart was pierced with sadness upon realising that this degree holder had to leave his hometown to seek work in a big city due to a lack of suitable job opportunities in Sabah. If this is the fate of an educated Sabahan, what about those with lower levels of education or no education at all?
The young man's story is not new; it is a narrative frequently heard.
According to an analysis by state government agencies, of the 9,356 heads of households living in extreme poverty surveyed, 42 per cent had no formal education, while 36 per cent had only completed the Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR) or Lower Secondary Assessment (PMR).
At the same time, even those with higher education qualifications struggle to find employment, let alone those in extreme poverty who lack education.
As such, Hajiji is determined to bring more investment into the state of Sabah. These investments are not only aimed at boosting the economy but also at creating more job and business opportunities for the people of Sabah.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor when interviewed by the writer recently.
"Petronas is one company I personally discussed with to provide more opportunities for the people of Sabah," Hajiji explained. Recently, a Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA) was signed, paving the way for more economic opportunities in the state.
In addition, significant investments such as the RM3 billion investment by SBH Kibing Solar from China to establish a high-quality solar glass manufacturing facility in KKIP are further proof of Hajiji's commitment to realising this vision.
The RM4.2 billion investment by South Korea's SK Nexilis in establishing a copper foil manufacturing facility is a significant initiative to boost Sabah's economy. Notably, it is expected to create 400 job opportunities, with 80 per cent targeted to be filled by local residents in the state.
At the same time, significant investments, such as the RM3 billion by SBH Kibing Solar from China to establish a high-quality solar glass manufacturing facility at the KKIP, further demonstrate Hajiji's commitment to realising this vision.
With more opportunities opening up, the hope of pulling Sabah out of the dark tunnel of extreme poverty is increasingly seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
COORDINATING ASSISTANCE
According to Hajiji, the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Secretariat now plays a crucial role as the coordinator for the Programme to Eradicate Extreme Poverty in Sabah. It is responsible for organising data on heads of households living in extreme poverty and ensuring that the assistance provided is appropriate.
Collaboration among 27 aid agencies, including 10 Sabah state ministries and nine state government agencies, is essential to ensure that the aid reaches those who truly need it.
The investment by SK Nexilis from South Korea worth RM4.2 billion in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park will provide 400 job opportunities with a target of 80 percent being filled by local in the state.
“To ensure that aid is accurately delivered, the state government has developed 13 indicators to verify the status of extreme poverty. This is an important step to ensure that the aid given truly impacts the targeted groups,” he said.
Since the mobilisation of efforts by the Sabah Maju Jaya Secretariat and aid agencies, a total of 45,998 interventions and aid packages have been distributed to heads of households and members of extreme poverty households. This is part of ongoing efforts to improve their living standards.
One of the key pillars of the Programme to Eradicate Extreme Poverty in Sabah is providing housing assistance through the SMJ Friendly Housing Programme. Each State Legislative Assembly (DUN) is allocated 20 housing units per year, starting in 2022.
To date, 1,709 housing units have been completed and handed over to extremely poor households. This represents a significant step in ensuring that those living in extreme poverty are not left behind in development.
Additionally, 264 heads of households have received home repair assistance under the supervision of the Sabah Ministry of Local Government and Housing (KKTP), another effort to improve the living conditions of those in need.
In terms of employment, as part of the initiative to eradicate extreme poverty, more than 300 heads of households and their family members have been given job opportunities in government positions, government-linked companies, and the private sector.
Moreover, education assistance has not been overlooked. The state government has provided One-Off Higher Education Registration Assistance, benefiting 5,767 household members who are pursuing higher education. This aid aims to reduce their financial burden.
A total of 6,737 members of extreme poverty households have received Special Cash Assistance for Examinations to support them in taking the SPM and STPM exams, ensuring they have equal opportunities in education.
The Ihsan Computer Assistance programme has also been extended to 710 household members pursuing higher education, ensuring they are not left behind in the digital era.
The Ihsan Education Savings Assistance Programme has benefitted 2,865 newborns in Sabah as an initiative to ensure a better future for the next generation.
Under welfare assistance, 4,266 individuals in extreme poverty in Sabah receive welfare support through the Department of General Welfare Services (JPKA). To improve their quality of life, this welfare allowance will be increased from RM350 to RM600.
A RAY OF HOPE
Hajiji said federal government intervention has also played a significant role in reducing extreme poverty in Sabah. For instance, 18,494 heads of households listed in the e-Kasih database received the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash aid for 2024.
For the People's Income Initiative Programme (IPR), a total of 487 heads of households received assistance, which includes various entrepreneurship programmes that are seen as important steps to help them increase their own income.
To empower entrepreneurship, 3,439 members of extreme poverty households have become Sahabat Usahawan under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia. This initiative provides funding to help them start businesses and boost household income.
The state government strongly encourages community involvement in decision-making processes to address extreme poverty in the state. Community engagement is key to ensuring that the various programmes and initiatives implemented have a meaningful impact.
The Programme to Eradicate Extreme Poverty involves communities across Sabah through engagement sessions with the Sabah Maju Jaya Secretariat. This effort ensures that all stakeholders are involved in the mission.
"We acknowledge the challenges in making the goal of eradicating extreme poverty a reality. However, with close cooperation between the state and federal governments, the hope to eliminate extreme poverty in Sabah will, God willing, become a reality.
"We cannot do this alone. Making the hopes and dreams of the people of Sabah a reality requires the support of all parties. I humbly ask for everyone's help so that together we can assist our people and eradicate extreme poverty," Hajiji said, his voice filled with emotion.
Translated by Salbiah Said
Cognisant of the issue of extreme poverty among its people requires a comprehensive solution, the Sabah state government has adopted the motto ‘Sabah Maju Jaya’ as its guiding principle in planning and developing strategies to fully address the problem. This final article in a three-part series on extreme poverty in Sabah highlights the approaches taken by the state government, particularly through the Sabah Maju Jaya Secretariat.
