Latest news with #Ramzah
Borneo Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Expand TVET to rural Sabah to curb youth migration - IDS chief
Dr Ramzah KOTA KINABALU (July 9): Human resource development initiatives must not be limited to urban areas but should also reach remote and rural communities across Sabah, said Datuk Dr Ramzah Dambul, Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Institute for Development Studies (IDS). 'According to the 2020 Census, approximately 45.4% of Sabah's 3.9 million population reside in rural areas. This clearly highlights the need for human capital development to focus on rural communities to avoid lopsided development,' he said. Speaking at the Sabah Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Symposium 2025 held at the Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort on Wednesday, Dr Ramzah stressed that TVET should no longer be viewed as a secondary option but as a key driver in empowering rural youth. 'TVET plays a crucial role in producing a generation equipped not only with technical skills but also capable of creating jobs — such as rural entrepreneurs in agrotechnology, community-based tourism and innovative crafts,' he said. He noted that according to the 2023 Sabah Labour Force Survey, youth labour force participation (aged 15–24) stood at 36.8%, while youth unemployment in the state was 11.5%, higher than the national average of 10.7%. Dr Ramzah said the high cost of living and lack of skilled job opportunities have pushed more young Sabahans to migrate to Peninsular Malaysia. Citing the 2022 Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) report, he said nearly 195,000 Sabahans — mostly rural youth — now live and work in the Peninsula. 'We cannot allow Sabah to remain an 'exporter' of young labour. It is time for TVET to become a catalyst for building quality job opportunities at home,' he stressed. Referencing the 2024 Sabah Jobseeker Aspirations Survey, Dr Ramzah said 70% of young jobseekers rejected local jobs due to low salary offers. Entry-level salaries in Sabah's technical and vocational sectors range between RM1,200 and RM1,500, significantly lower than the Klang Valley's RM2,000 and above. He added that over 58% of survey respondents had not received training aligned with industry demands, revealing a major skills mismatch. 'With Sabah now moving towards industrialisation, as reflected by the RM10.9 billion in approved investments during the first quarter of 2025, we need a skilled workforce to match. For instance, foreign investor Kibing offered 5,000 job opportunities, but most positions remained unfilled due to skill gaps — some had to be sent to China for training,' he said. He emphasized the need to strengthen the TVET ecosystem, citing the establishment of the Sabah TVET Council as a positive step. 'But to be truly effective, the Council must act as an integrative platform linking the state government, federal agencies, institutions, industries and communities,' he said. Dr Ramzah also highlighted the outdated condition of training equipment, with 67% of tools in Sabah's skills institutes being over 10 years old, limiting training quality. 'Consistent investment in training facilities and instructor upskilling must be a priority. We also need a transparent system to track TVET graduates and measure programme effectiveness,' he added. He called for inclusivity in TVET programmes, particularly targeting rural youth, women, and the B40 group. 'Only 27% of TVET students in Sabah are women, and participation from interior areas remains low,' he said, referencing the 2023 Sabah Human Capital Development Report. 'Sabah's unique geography, rural fishing and farming economies, and ethnic crafts should be harnessed through locally tailored TVET programmes,' he said. Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister II and Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam, and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.
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Daily Express
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Ranau to host IDS programme to empower women traders
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 Text Size: Ramzah said the initiative represents a long-term commitment to strengthening women's roles in grassroots economic development. Kota Kinabalu: Ranau has been selected as the second location for the 'Empowering Young Women Entrepreneurs in Sabah: Women's Power, Economic Power' programme, following its successful launch in Beaufort last month. The Institute for Development Studies (IDS) said the event is scheduled for May 17, at the Ranau Community Hall in collaboration with Sabah Credit Corporation and the Ranau District Office. Advertisement IDS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Ramzah Dambul said the initiative represents a long-term commitment to strengthening women's roles in grassroots economic development. 'We are not merely training young entrepreneurs, we are triggering a new wave of rural economic transformation led by young women,' he said in a statement, here, Wednesday. 'In Ranau, we aim to highlight that young women are not just supporting the economy, but are leading agents of change and sustainable growth in their communities,' he added. The programme will feature knowledge-sharing sessions with successful local entrepreneurs covering topics such as social entrepreneurship, tourism business development, ethnic craft cooperatives and digital marketing strategies for small businesses. Participants will also learn about the Dayang Empowerment Loan Scheme, a financing initiative specifically designed to help young women start or expand their businesses. State Finance Minister cum Karanaan Assemblyman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun is scheduled to officiate the closing ceremony and deliver the keynote address. Young women entrepreneurs from Ranau and surrounding areas are encouraged to attend the free programme. For more information, those interested can contact Programme Coordinator Fiona V. Loijon at [email protected] or call 088-450 500. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
05-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Support for small and mobile traders: Phoong
Published on: Monday, May 05, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 05, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Phoong, Ramzah and Adam launching the third Chunk and Dunk outlet in Imago. Kota Kinabalu: State Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, called on youths to unite and lead economic transformation through innovation and government support. Speaking at the launch of Chunk and Dunk's third outlet at Imago Shopping Mall, last Saturday, Phoong said Sabah's youth can overcome long-standing policy failures that have slowed progress. 'We've inherited outdated policies that have held Sabah back,' he said. 'But we now have a strong, motivated young generation. If we work together, we can build a resilient and successful Sabah for future generations.' His remarks followed concerns raised by Institute for Development Studies (Sabah) CEO, TS Dr Ramzah Dambul, who highlighted the neglect of Malaysia's roadside and mobile economy. Ramzah urged immediate policy support, warning of long-term consequences if informal sectors are ignored. 'We've supported foreign investors, but overlooked our small and mobile traders. 'This issue is backed by 10 years of research. As global pressures rise, we must strengthen our local economy,' Ramzah said. Ramzah called for a proper ecosystem to support these businesses, stressing that ignoring them now could lead to bigger economic challenges ahead. Agreeing with Ramzah, Phoong said youth leadership, coupled with effective policies, can drive change. He praised local entrepreneur Adam Shamil, founder of Chunk and Dunk, as a model of youth success. 'My Ministry supports young entrepreneurs like Adam by working closely with them and helping them access the right agencies,' Phoong said. Amid global uncertainties like trade wars and supply chain disruptions, he emphasized the need to strengthen Sabah's domestic economy. 'Uncertainty hurts entrepreneurs. That's why we're focusing on building a resilient local economy,' he said. Phoong also highlighted Sabah's export growth, with local products now reaching Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. He ended with a call to action: 'If we can't help our young entrepreneurs succeed at home, who will?' * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
25-04-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
IDS Sabah targets poverty reduction with 135 development projects
Azizah (seated, centre) speaking to reporters at the IDS Sabah Raya open house, flanked by Ramzah to her left and Flovia. KOTA KINABALU (April 25): The Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah has planned or is implementing 135 projects this year across various sectors to support the state's development. IDS Sabah chairwoman Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun said the initiatives, which cover areas such as the economy, health, education, environment and women's empowerment, are progressing steadily. One of the key efforts highlighted is IDS' ongoing study on Sabah's eight poorest districts. The study for four districts — Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Pitas, and Ranau — is halfway complete, with findings already submitted to the relevant authorities. The remaining districts are currently being assessed, with completion expected later this year. Azizah outlined several factors contributing to poverty in these areas. One major issue is the reliance of fishermen on middlemen to sell their catch, reducing their earnings while brokers often take a larger share. 'We need to find ways for government agencies to support fishermen, not only in catching fish but also in becoming entrepreneurs and business owners,' she said at IDS Sabah's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Wisma IDS, Kepayan, yesterday. She also pointed to accessibility as a recurring problem. Many rural communities face challenges in transporting goods due to poor infrastructure and remote locations, leading to high transportation costs. 'Even though villagers may own land, they can't fully utilise it to generate income, leaving them stuck. Infrastructure feasibility must be improved as part of our poverty eradication efforts,' Azizah said. She further emphasized the impact of limited accessibility on education. Many rural families struggle to send their children to school, which contributes to the continued cycle of poverty. 'We are paying serious attention to this issue,' she added. Around 300 people attended the IDS Sabah Raya open house, which was co-hosted by IDS Sabah, the Meteorological Department, and the Environmental Protection Department. Also present were IDS Sabah CEO Datuk Ts Dr Ramzah Dambul and State Assistant Minister of Community Development and People's Wellbeing Datuk Flovia Ng.
