Sabah Optimistic of Raising Youth Living Standard With Creative Industry Economy

KOTA KINABALU, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Sabah State Government is optimistic that the state's creative economy will be able to grow and become one of the main catalysts in efforts to improve the living standards of the youth through the exploration of business opportunities and new sources of income based on talent and creativity.

Sabah Minister of Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said the sector also has great potential to change the landscape of youth's lives if their involvement in related industries such as music, film, food and handicrafts continues to be strengthened.

Therefore, Nizam said his ministry's role is to further boost the talents of Sabah's youth to enable them to generate their own income without being overly dependent on job opportunities in the government or private sectors, and can even contribute to increasing the state's income.

“It is the government’s highest aspiration to improve the living standards of Sabah’s youth through involvement in creative industries or businesses.

“I am confident and believe that if this industry can be developed, it can change the landscape of Sabah’s youth as well as increase the state’s income,” he said when winding up the debate for his ministry at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

Nizam said his ministry is also implementing several programmes to empower Sabah’s youth in the creative economy, including skills training, entrepreneurship, grant giving, as well as organising state sports events such as the Sabah Games (SAGA) to unearth sports talents.

He also cited Sabah martial arts athlete Emmabell Cassandra of Papar who won the Byon Combat 7 Bantanweight category competition in Kuala Lumpur on April 25, as an example of success in efforts to polish talent through various trainings including the SAGA sports event.

“Recently, there was a Sabahan from Papar who received extensive coverage for her success in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) or Muay Thai competition. Emmabell Cassandra is an example of a Sabah girl whose (talent) has been developed through various trainings including the Sabah Games,” he said.

In another development, the state Minister for Women, Health and People's Wellbeing Datuk Julita Majungki, when winding up the debate for her ministry, said Sabah still faces a shortage of medical personnel compared to current needs.

So far, she said, the number of government doctors in Sabah is 3,431 while private doctors are 1,397, with a ratio of one doctor to 775 residents.

“Based on calculations, the number of doctors needed is 9,354. This shows that there is a shortage of 4,526 doctors compared to the current number,” she said.

Julita also informed that the state government through the Sabah State Health Department has drawn up a strategic direction to upgrade the Duchess of Kent Hospital, Sandakan from the status of a Major Specialist Hospital to a State Hospital with more than 49 specialist services.

Meanwhile, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said his ministry is confident that the implementation of the Visit Sabah Year 2027 campaign would be able to stimulate economic activities, increase job opportunities and strengthen the state’s tourism ecosystem.

In his winding-up speech for his ministry, Jafry said a comprehensive and integrated action plan is being drawn up with the Sabah Tourism Board, among others, focusing on efforts to strengthen the development of more comprehensive, integrated and sustainable tourism packages.

He said the plan also included branding Sabah as a premium tourism destination based on nature and culture; strengthening tourism infrastructure and accessibility; improving facilities and upgrading existing tourism products.

“In addition, improving the quality of tourism products including eco-tourism and community-based tourism to ensure high-quality tourist experiences; intensifying the digitalisation of promotions and marketing through the use of digital platforms, social media and creative promotional materials.

“The organisation of high-impact events throughout the year will also be strengthened through strategic collaboration with government agencies and local authorities to create a structured and highly attractive state tourism event calendar,” he said.

-- BERNAMA