‘Development plans often fail to reflect needs of the people'
Published on: Tue, Jul 22, 2025
By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Sa'adilah also emphasised on the persistent gap between planning and execution in national development, which he said remains a major issue. Kota Kinabalu: National development plans, though well-formulated, often fail because they do not reflect the realities of local communities. Former Director of the Centre for Value Creation and Human Well-Being Studies (Insan) Datuk Dr Sa'adilah Abdillah, said that development must begin from within communities, taking into account the rich civilisation and cultural heritage of Sabah. 'If we want to develop the people of Sabah, we must begin with the community itself. 'We once had a high level of civilisation, but as bureaucracy took over, that heritage and capacity began to erode,' he said after a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) held here on Monday. He said many Sabahans today no longer recognise their own heritage and called for grassroots-level community education to be revived. 'There are progressive elements within our society, but we don't highlight them. 'Sometimes we prioritise outside influences and impose an urban image onto rural communities. That's inaccurate, because their context is different,' he said. According to him, facilitators are much needed, including financial and technical experts but more importantly, members of the community and those working with them, including policymakers and political leaders, must be trained. 'Leaders must understand the community. If they don't, and if they lack capability, that's where weak implementation stems from,' he said. He acknowledged that leadership ability is not solely determined by educational background. Sa'adilah also emphasised on the persistent gap between planning and execution in national development, which he said remains a major issue. 'We have good plans. But when it comes to implementation, that's where the problem lies. 'Those tasked with carrying them out may not understand what is to be achieved or how to achieve it,' he said. He highlighted that development plans often fail to reflect the true needs of the local population. In fact, the community itself may not fully understand what is being offered to them. 'Previously, before bureaucracy took over, every layer of society had a role. Everyone worked together toward a common goal. We need to revive that spirit,' he said. He said while development blueprints such as RMK13 are important, all parties from top leaders and policymakers to grassroots leaders must play their roles seriously in ensuring their success. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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