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Daily Express
11 hours ago
- Daily Express
Azizah calls for detailed review of juvenile offence penalties
Published on: Friday, August 15, 2025 Published on: Fri, Aug 15, 2025 By: Noor Zafira Zayn Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: The proposal to review penalties for juvenile offenders should be examined in greater detail, said Sabah Institute for Development Studies (IDS) chairperson Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun ( pic ). She said any legal amendments must be considered carefully, noting that such decisions should be based on a thorough investigation rather than a single case. Azizah was responding to a recent suggestion by the Sabah Consumers Affairs and Protection Society (Caps) to lower the age limit for juvenile offenders from 18 to under 15 in view of the rise in youth-related crime. She stressed that a comprehensive study involving experts and multiple stakeholders is needed to develop the most effective approach in addressing juvenile offences, including bullying in schools, workplaces, and within families. Azizah added that tackling such issues requires collective responsibility from parents, communities, and authorities, with a strong focus on prevention through understanding current trends and potential risks. * 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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
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.
Daily Express
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Sook now a full district following a detailed review, fulfilment of key criteria
Published on: Thursday, May 01, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 01, 2025 By: Marutin Ansiung Text Size: Hajiji, accompanied by Ellron, being welcomed by government officials upon arrival in Sook. SOOK: Sook has been gazetted as a full district following a detailed review and the fulfilment of key criteria, including a population of over 30,000 residents. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin said the move followed a detailed study conducted by the Sabah Institute for Development Studies (IDS), which confirmed that Sook had fulfilled the recognised government criteria for district status. Ellron, who is also Sook Assemblyman, said one of the main conditions was a minimum population of 30,000 residents. Based on figures from the Community Development Leaders Unit (UPPM) in Sook and Tulid, the current population stands at 62,171, he said. 'This means that, population-wise, Sook qualifies to be upgraded from a sub-district to a full district,' he said during the launch of the Sook District Status Upgrade at the Sook District Office compound on Monday. The ceremony was officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor. Ellron noted that the proposal to elevate Sook's status was tabled at the State Cabinet meeting on Jan 24, 2024 and was approved in principle, subject to several technical conditions. Other key criteria included an organised and clustered settlement pattern to facilitate efficient government administration and service delivery. 'The residential pattern in Sook is well-structured and complemented by an established road and telecommunications network, enabling smooth delivery of government services and better monitoring of economic and social activities,' he said. He added that the workload at the Sook sub-district office had increased significantly in recent years, matching that of a full district office, which further justified the upgrade. Previously, limited administrative powers meant many matters had to be referred to Keningau District Office. 'Sook currently has a road network spanning 519.17 kilometres, with most areas accessible by road. 'Additionally, the ongoing road upgrade project from Sinaron to Tongod, covering 40km, is expected to open new economic opportunities and spur the creation of commercial and industrial zones,' he said. Ellron also said the availability of public amenities such as healthcare and educational facilities, houses of worship, community halls, sports courts, and recreational areas as further supporting factors for the district upgrade. Public utilities such as electricity, clean treated water, and telecommunications services are now widely accessible in the area. A large portion of the population is engaged in agriculture, with 69,609 hectares of land already cultivated, mostly for oil palm, rubber, paddy, coffee, cocoa, fruit and cash crops. 'This elevation in status is the result of careful planning and collaboration among various parties,' he added. In conjunction with the historic occasion, Ellron representing Sook communities, thanked the State Government, especially the Chief Minister, IDS, the Assistant District Officer of Sook, heads of government departments, and neighbouring districts Keningau, Tambunan, Ranau, Tongod, Nabawan, Tenom and Kemabong for their support during the evaluation process. With its new district status, Sook is expected to benefit from improved infrastructure, greater economic development opportunities, and enhanced access to education and employment for its residents. Ellron urged the people of Sook to work together to ensure balanced and sustainable development in the district. 'Today's celebration is not only a mark of success but a symbol of unity and collective aspiration to progress as one community,' he said, adding that he believed Sook would continue to flourish as a prosperous and exemplary district in the state. * 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
