Sabah, located in the northern region of Borneo, Malaysia, is known for its rich biodiversity and natural resources. However, the state is facing several challenges that hinder its progress, including poverty, ineffective utilization of federal budget allocation, insufficient infrastructure, and restricted foreign investment and job prospects. To address these issues, Sabah must prioritize equality, sustainability, productivity, and empowerment in its development approach.

The definition of poverty in Sabah differs from that in Peninsular Malaysia. Sabah residents who live in rural areas can still support their livelihoods with farming, hunting, and small-scale sales of their products. An alternative definition for measuring poverty needs to be introduced in Sabah, such as measuring it based on the cost of living. This re-examination is necessary to ensure fairness to the situation of poverty among Sabah residents, and the sensitivity and follow-up actions of the government through this new definition will ensure the comprehensive welfare of the people.

The issue of inefficient management and use of the federal government's budget allocation to the state needs to be given serious attention. Sabah's development can be optimized if various small, medium, and large projects that benefit various segments of society can be carried out smoothly. The failure of the state government to use the existing allocation can hinder the implementation of these planned initiatives. The establishment of stricter KPIs for all bodies, agencies, and ministries in Sabah in the application and success of funds requested for development and the welfare of the people is suggested. Devolving power from the federal government to the state government to obtain funds directly greatly helps streamline the process of distributing and implementing projects in Sabah immediately.

Infrastructure development in Sabah is challenging and requires high spending due to its mountainous terrain. The government needs to expedite the repair and sealing of unsealed roads, starting in areas with high population densities. Additionally, the government needs to establish partnerships in using renewable energy as an alternative source to meet the needs of the people. The use of solar energy and biomass, among others, has the potential to be developed. Supply disruptions of water or electricity need to be monitored to prevent recurring incidents.

Besides, the lack of foreign investment is closely related to the limited infrastructure in certain cities and is not expanded, especially in suburban areas. The government needs to prioritize the construction of processing plants and provide incentives to attract foreign investment. The government also needs to develop and expand infrastructure to suburban areas to create employment opportunities for local residents. The government should also take advantage of Sabah's unique cultural and natural attractions to attract foreign investment in the tourism industry, which can create more job opportunities for local residents.

In conclusion, Sabah must prioritize equality, sustainability, productivity, and empowerment in its development approach to address its challenges. Poverty, developmental gaps, inadequate infrastructure, and unemployment are some of the critical challenges that require targeted policies and investments. The government must adopt a development approach that prioritizes these elements to ensure that Sabah can achieve its full economic growth and development potential. With the suggested solutions, Sabah can progress and emerge as a more developed and prosperous state.

Associate Prof. Dr Abdul Rahim Ridzuan

Associate Prof.

Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka, Malaysia