Young Sabah professionals are stepping forward
Published on: Sunday, January 23, 2022
By: Datuk John Lo
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Opening ceremony of SIBES 2022 recently.
Their preliminary objectives are [a] To harness synergies among young Sabahans for their self-development in business/professions and contribute towards Sabah’s economic development. [b] To strengthen the economic bond among young Sabahans everywhere. [c] To encourage and assist young Sabahan returnees from other states in Malaysia and other countries. [d] To create new business and introduce up to date technologies and systems to Sabah. [e] In line with Sabah’s racial and religious harmony, the group will abstain from political and religious discussions.
SYEPG is by young Sabahans, for young Sabahans. The group will be self-driven. The resultant youthful synergises will expedite Sabah’s economic growth in many ways.
Impressed by Sabah’s steady economic growth at +3.8% to 4% in 2021 despise the pandemic and global uncertainties, these young Sabahans can see there can be a good future for them and their young families in Sabah.
Their historical initiative of forming SYEPG has great significance as, for the first time, young Sabahans will organise themselves to reverse the brain drain which Sabah has been suffering for as long as I can remember.
Sabah Economic Advisory Council’s Chairman, Tan Sri David Chu and IDS Chairman Datuk Adeline Leong have expressed their appreciation of their initiative. Both have expressed support in their endeavour and will provide guidance where necessary.
Kevin Lim, president of RCKK [Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu] which is the oldest Rotary Club in Sabah and has a diverse membership of professionals and businessmen, has consented for his club to provide mentorship through the youth service avenue.
For those who may not wish to return to Sabah, they can share their ideas on Sabah’s future with SAYAP.
While many remain armchair critics, these young Sabahans are banding together to set up this group networking. Sabah’s future belongs to young Sabahans who desire to take charge of their future. They will have the awesome responsibility but rewarding to lead and shape Sabah’s economy, to continue the fight to bring more economic prosperity to Sabah. They will be the custodians for the economic welfare of the next generation of Sabahans.
The inevitability of life is such that most of the current economic leaders will have retired in 10 or latest 15 years from now. Looking at the speed of the 2021 economic transformation and in the next few years, Sabah will have a great need of more young economic leaders. Sabah must start grooming them to fill this vacuum. In addition to the expected lack of sufficient economic leaders, Sabah will also need to prepare the next generations with the mindset, expertise and skills for Sabah to remain competitive in the next digital age. The economic and business environment as we know it, will see a quantum leap in dimension and leadership demands. Mr. Kevin Lim’s comment is most apt—-Sabah needs to build up our pool of talents to control our economic destiny.
The evolving economic transformation by Hajiji will provide many new exciting opportunities for young Sabahans in [a] IT applications as all business/industries will require to embrace 5G and eventually 6G in one way or another. [b] ITP and downstream industrialization will provide numerous opportunities for investment, professional services and employment. [3] The Collaboration Commercial Agreement, Sabah Gas Master Plan will open up many avenues, including an LNG plant. [4] Tourism. [5] High end tropical fruits and food for export. [6] Mining will offer many exciting opportunities. [7] new industry like green energy for which a MOU will be signed soon. [8] Power generation. [9] Establishment of foreign universities in Sabah. [10] Development of services and export market. [11] More in the pipeline as Sabah may get RM25b investment in the year of the Tiger!
The best way to ensure a smooth transfer of Sabah’s economic leadership to the next generation is to formulate, adopt and implement a sound Sabah government policy to empower young Sabahans under SMJ [Sabah Maju Jaya] vision. This policy and its relevance can best be formulated with inputs from young Sabahans for they are the most suitable stakeholders to do so. SEAC and IDS can act as co-ordinators. The process of formulating the Sabah Young Entrepreneur $ Professional Policy is similar to the ITP [Industrial Tree Plantation and downstream industry] policy which Hajiji has announced at the recent SIBES.
The ITP policy is the result of the joint effort of private sector investors, SEAC and Forestry Department under the leadership of CCF Datuk Fred Kugan. The ITP policy will become an economic game changer for Sabah’s timber industry. Likewise, a good policy on the economic role of young Sabahans which will be the first ever in Malaysia, will create a new impactful economic dimension in Sabah’s transforming economy.
I am confident that Hajiji will be receptive on the formation of the Sabah Young Entrepreneur and Professional Group and welcome inputs for the formulation of policy for the development of young Sabahans.
For further information of the Sabah Young Entrepreneur & Professional Group, please contact one of the following—- [1] Chung Vui Ken -6011-2549-1490 [2] Edna Sung Burongoh -6012-329 3258 [3] Mitch Lo-0146706863 [4] Ernie Zaine-012838 8292 [5] Japson Wong-0168816813.
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