Masidi Prioritises Upskilling To Boost Karanaan Youth Employability

Oleh Siti Baaqiah Mamat

RANAU, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- Enhancing youth employability through reskilling and upskilling will be among the key priorities for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidate for the Karanaan state seat, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, as he seeks to prepare young people for an increasingly competitive job market.

Masidi, the incumbent since 2004, said today’s economic landscape and employment opportunities differ vastly from a decade ago, making it vital to equip youth with new competencies and value-added skills.

“The world has changed. Ten years ago, it was easier to find work. Today’s job market is highly competitive, so I want to emphasise reskilling to improve our youth’s employability,” he told Bernama.

The 74-year-old said not all young people wish to remain in Ranau or continue working in agriculture, but moving elsewhere without the necessary skills will only make securing employment more difficult.

Masidi also underlined the need to improve basic infrastructure in Karanaan, particularly road networks linking agricultural areas and remote villages.

The Sabah Finance Minister said farmers in the area work hard, but their efforts are hampered when poor road access prevents their produce from reaching markets efficiently.

“Roads are crucial for marketing agricultural products. If they cannot reach buyers, their efforts are wasted and poverty persists,” he said.

He added that Ranau’s economy also has strong potential in tourism, including developing higher-value products, expanding homestays and strengthening attractions in Kundasang and surrounding areas.

Masidi expressed hope that the 17th Sabah state election campaign would remain harmonious, reminding campaign workers, especially those from outside Sabah, to respect local sensitivities and cultural norms.

“Ranau people are gentle and interfaith relations here are warm, so we must preserve that harmony,” he said, adding that political differences should not undermine unity.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 29 as polling day for the 17th Sabah state election, with early voting held on Nov 25.

-- BERNAMA

N37: KARANAAN: SABAH: 18,696

1. Karim Adam                               (KDM)

2. Mohd Anuar Abdul Ghani           (STARSABAH)

3. Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun          (GRS-Gagasan Rakyat)

4. Mukinin @ Mazlan Daiman        (Warisan)

5. Naomi @ Neomi Francis            (Bebas/IND)

6. Md Nadzmin Kamin                    (BN-UMNO)

7. Georgina L George                     (UPKO)

(2020: Masidi Manjun: PN-Bersatu: Maj: 4,814)

--BERNAMA