KOTA KINABALU: The Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah is close to completing its major study on poverty eradication, which has identified middlemen practices and poor accessibility as key factors trapping communities in poverty, said its Chairwoman, Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun.
Speaking during the 2025 Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering organized jointly by IDS, the Meteorological Department, and the Environmental Protection Department of Sabah, Azizah revealed that nearly 50 percent of the study’s projects in eight districts have already been completed, with full completion targeted within this year.
The study covers various aspects including economy, health, education, environment, and empowerment of women and rural entrepreneurs.
“Preliminary findings show that rural fishermen, for example, often sell their catch to middlemen, who then reap larger profits. This practice leaves the fishermen with minimal income and little opportunity to improve their livelihoods.
"This situation must be seriously addressed. We need to ensure that the benefits of their hard work are not siphoned off by intermediaries but are enjoyed directly by the communities themselves," she said.
The study also highlights the critical issue of accessibility where remote villages, such as those in Kota Marudu and Ranau, face significant challenges in transporting their products to markets due to distance and poor infrastructure.
“As a result, many communities, despite being rich in natural resources, are unable to convert their assets into economic gains.
“IDS is working closely with state agencies to propose solutions that will enhance infrastructure, encourage local downstream industries, and empower small entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths, through initiatives like the Dayang program in collaboration with Sabah Credit Corporation.
"By strengthening grassroots entrepreneurship, we aim to lift communities out of poverty and break the cycle of economic hardship that has persisted for generations," she added.
As it is known, education access is another pressing issue identified in the study. Many children in rural areas are unable to pursue schooling consistently due to poverty and the long distances to educational institutions, further perpetuating the poverty cycle.
Azizah expressed confidence that with sustained commitment, the ongoing projects and findings from the IDS study will help shape effective poverty eradication strategies for Sabah’s rural communities.
