Strategies Needed to Eradicate Extreme Poverty in Sabah

Extreme poverty in Sabah, a state of Malaysia known as the Land Below the Wind, is more than just a statistic; it's a harsh reality for many residents. Despite various efforts by both state and federal governments to alleviate this issue, results have been less than satisfactory. It's time for innovative approaches that consider the distinct needs of urban and rural poor populations. 
 
According to Associate Professor Dr. Syahruddin Awang Ahmad, the 2022 Household Income Survey report indicates an extreme poverty rate of 1.2% in Sabah—significantly higher than the national average of 0.2%. He suggests improving efficiency in data collection for better planning and fostering collaboration between governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). 
 
Dr. Syahruddin also proposes tapping into underutilized industries within small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), such as raw material production for animal feed or pet supplies. Additionally, creating job opportunities like village tour guides or local history spokespeople could provide income sources for impoverished individuals. 
 
However, community support remains lukewarm towards government programs aimed at reducing poverty levels—an issue that needs addressing if these initiatives are to succeed. Dr. Syaruddin believes integrating religious and moral education may enhance receptiveness among these communities, while awareness campaigns target younger generations. 
 
Associate Professor Dr. Romzi Ationg emphasizes that despite numerous efforts from various parties, including government agencies, extreme poverty persists in Sabah due to insufficient measures taken thus far. He stresses implementing specific strategies according to different circumstances rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. 
 
Former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal also expresses concern about Sabah’s high unemployment rate, which contributes significantly towards its widespread impoverishment issues alongside cost-of-living increases comparable with major cities but with much lower wages. 
 
He strongly advocates accurate data collection methods reflecting true living conditions instead of relying on head-of-family representatives, which may not provide a complete picture. Additionally, he underscores the importance of implementing officials being flexible and open to new information for informed decision-making. 
 
Sabah's Minister of Rural Development, Datuk Jahid Jahim, pledges his ministry’s commitment towards improving rural living conditions with development programs aimed at poverty reduction. He outlines plans to strengthen existing initiatives while introducing income-generating activities within these communities. 
 
Under the Sabah Maju Jaya roadmap, initiatives such as providing decent housing through the Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya program will be intensified. Allocations have been approved to construct 20 houses annually in each state constituency—totaling 73 constituencies—providing more rural residents access to improved housing standards. 
 
The Ministry of Rural Development Sabah also aims at strengthening poverty eradication programs like Mini Estet Sejahtera and rural entrepreneurship training while developing facilities for small village enterprises engaged in tourism, arts and culture, or traditional craftwork and food production—all potential areas for significant growth. 
 
In line with digital transformation efforts across Malaysia, communication infrastructure development is accelerated within rural regions, including digital skills training program introduction. 
  
Jahid adds that two dashboards—the eKPLBS Dashboard and Project Monitoring Dashboard—are under development, aiming at enhancing service effectiveness by tracking core departmental activities along with project statuses, respectively. 
 
With ongoing actions complemented by comprehensive future plans, the fight against extreme poverty in Sabah continues steadfastly showing promise towards ensuring all Malaysians benefit from national progress achieved thus far.