Looking forward to RM4k income for Sabah’s rural poor

Published on: Sunday, February 21, 2021

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WE, the rural and poor congratulate the Chairman and members of Sabah Economic Advisory Council on their appointment by the State Government. We have no doubt the Economic Advisory Council will, as its top priority, introduce economic programmes for people like us.

The declared programme and policies of Yang Amat Berhormat Ketua Menteri for the advancements of the economy of the Rural and Poor People. Datuk Hajiji stated a number of times that his policy is to give top priority to the Rural Poor.

Sabah has a population of about 3.5 million (Sabahans) who are reportedly very poor and classified by the World Bank as extreme poverty. Of the 3.5 million 1.5 million are citizens.

Out of 1.5 million at least 1.2 million live in the rural areas and poor.

These rural poor have become poorer with the introduction of modern technologies that include the internet and electronic gadgets.

Furthermore, the rural poor have become even poorer as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic these last 9 months. Our income is almost zero. Therefore, what we need are programmes and financing to start economic activities.

We have seen and read about China’s success in elevating more than 700 million of its 1.5 billion population from rural poverty to the middle class in just thirty years.

This compared to Sabah with a population of about 3.5 million.

Based on these facts and figures, the Sabah Economic Council will be able to devise an action programme to economically advance the rural poor within three months. Another nine months to implement, and a year to show results.

Any economic activity introduced by the Sabah Economic Council, the rural poor can carry out. Of course market is not a problem for our rural produce as we learn Malaysia imports RM52 billion worth of food annually.

According to figures, out of the RM52 billion, Sabah accounted for RM2 billion. RM2 billion is a lot of money, for buying just for food.

We, the rural poor are ready to move forward with an average monthly earning of RM4,000.

This translates to an annual cash flow of RM4.8 billion for the domestic markets of commercial establishments.

But least 25pc of this cash flow or RM1.2 billion may go to entertainment outlets. Just Penampang district alone has more than a few hundred entertainment outlets.

We look forward to the Sabah Economic Advisory Council’s to introduce sustainable economic programmes that will enable us to earn RM4,000 a month.

Pineapple Farmer,

Moyog