Parti Warisan is urging the Sabah government to concentrate on enhancing the skills of Sabahans living on the state’s east coast by attracting mid- and high-value industries to support ongoing economic development in the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). Merotai assemblyman Sarifuddin Hata emphasized the need for better infrastructures and utilities, such as stable water and electricity supply and improved connectivity, to be prioritized for this purpose.
According to Sarifuddin, Sabah should leverage the close proximity of its east coast to the southern Philippines and the busy Lombok-Makassar Straits to seize economic opportunities. He pointed out that as Indonesia establishes its new capital in Kalimantan, the Lombok-Makassar Straits will witness increased activity.
Sarifuddin, who heads the economic policy unit of Warisan’s state election committee, warned that Kalimantan could pose a threat to Sabah if industry-trained and qualified Sabahans are recruited to work there. He expressed concerns that Sabah may face a labor shortage as Indonesian workers return home, while skilled Sabahans may also be enticed to work in Kalimantan if attractive opportunities arise.
