Kota Kinabalu: Parti Warisan said Indonesia’s new Nusantara capital in Kalimantan and the increased merchant ship activity in the Lombok-Makassar Strait present a unique opportunity for Sabah, especially Sandakan, Tawau and Lahad Datu.
Given the situation, Merotai Assemblyman Sarifuddin Hata cautioned on the potential threat Kalimantan might pose to Sabah.
He warned that industry-trained and qualified Sabahans could be enticed to work in Kalimantan, which could hinder Sabah’s industrialisation plan.
“Amid the ongoing economic development within the BIMP-EAGA region, Parti Warisan is calling on the State Government to concentrate on improving the skills of Sabahans on the East Coast for better-paying jobs,” he said, adding that there is a need to attract middle- and high-value industries to the region.
Sarifuddin highlighted the importance of improved infrastructures, stable water and electricity supply and enhanced connectivity.
These elements, he said, are crucial for the region’s development.
According to Sarifuddin, the East Coast’s geographical advantage, with its close proximity to the Southern Philippines and the bustling Lombok-Makassar Straits, should be leveraged.
He sees significant economic opportunities for Sabah and believes it’s high time to boost mid and high-value industries in the East Coast.
As the head of the Economic Policy Committee of Warisan JPRN, Sarifuddin believes that the East Coast holds significant potential as a new economic corridor for Sabah and Malaysia.
He also stressed the importance of transactions in ringgit to aid in the currency’s recovery.
The party’s strategic communication unit identified several potential economic agendas to transform the area.
However, the priority remains to enhance investment enablers such as electricity, water supply and infrastructure.
“Only by ensuring reliable enablers can we proceed with the East Coast’s industrialisation agenda. This is a part of our strategy to combat the absolute poverty incidence here,” he said.
The call for better public infrastructures in Sabah underscores the region’s potential and the urgency of its development needs.
As the State government takes heed, the future looks promising for Sabah and its industry players, the Assemblyman concluded.
