ALTHOUGH the new Sabah state administration only came into power for four months, their willingness in expediting infrastructure projects and boosting economic growth provides a spark of hope for Sabahans who always aspire to enjoy better socio-economic development within the state.
This can be seen when Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is committed to expand 4G coverage and boost internet speed in Sabah under the National Digital Network (Jendela) project.
Hajiji also established the Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SEAC) that comprises industry players, academician and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the state.
To further realise state economic potential, Hajiji works closely with federal ministries by focusing on agricultural, industrial and tourism development that is in line with the soon to be released Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan 2021-2025.
Given the contributions of the agriculture and manufacturing sectors were only 16.1% and 7.6% of the Sabah’s gross domestic product (GDP) respectively as of 2019, it is relatively a strategic move for the current state government to focus on the agriculture and industrial sectors.
It is also laudable the current state administration is following the federal’s footstep, advocating green infrastructure agenda in the Sabah’s Budget 2021. With the help of green and modern agricultural technology, it would enhance the value of production while providing job opportunities for Sabahans to work in the renewable sectors.
Despite the ripple effects arising from both the Covid-19 and the floods at the beginning of 2021, the prompt action by Hajiji in approving RM150 million worth of the emergency fund to repair 41 roads damaged in the state-wide floods was highly commendable.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin also promised to repair the fractured section of the Luyang flyover immediately to ensure the safety of the road users.
Although there are relatively lesser Covid-19 cases being recorded in Sabah during the past few days (i.e., from 276 cases on Feb 2 to 160 cases on Feb 7), the prolonged school closure continuously provides enormous challenges particularly among students who are based in rural areas, as they still have to depend on a particular spot to gain internet access for online learning.
Teachers in rural areas also found it challenging to implement home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) sessions with their students, as either the students have limited access in digital devices or choose to skip online lessons.
Therefore, there is no clear indication on whether the provision of data credit and laptops by the government, corporates and non-governmental organisations would effectively address the issue of education access among the children from the rural areas of Sabah.
Furthermore, the on-and-off state-wide lockdown measures since mid-March last year led many tourism industry players to begin expressing concerns over the catastrophic consequences of the 2nd phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Even though the Malaysian Economic and Rakyat Protection Assistance Package (Permai) will provide 10% electricity bills discounts for the hotel operators, local airline offices and travel agencies from January to March, the Sabah Tourist Association (STA), the Malaysian Association of Hotels and the Budget Hotel Association indicated it is still not sufficient for them to ride out the economic storm.
With the continuous closure of international borders and inter-state travel ban, this might eventually force more hotels and tour agencies in Sabah to shutter either temporarily or permanently.
Aside from hotel owners and tour operators, the retail sector is expected to remain vulnerable. Due to the fear of virus infection, many Sabahans choose to reduce their frequency of going to the shopping centres since the end September.
With limited shoppers, many retailers were unable to operate at full capacity or at the pre-COVID-19 level. Some of the retailers were pessimistic on their business outlook as empty malls can be seen in Sabah even though Chinese New Year is around the corner.
As no dine-ins are allowed in Sabah, some of the coffee shop owners in Sabah indicated their businesses would suffer by at least 60%. Therefore, there is an increasing concern that more retail and coffee shop owners would choose to end their businesses forever as they could not afford to pay associated operational expenses such as workers’ salary and utilities related expenses.
Not only the employers, the workers who are from low-income families are arguably more vulnerable today compared to where they were back in March last year. With the loss of job and income, they will fall deeper into poverty and debt. They might not even afford to buy daily necessities to sustain their living.
Instead of purely relying on the Permai package that was introduced by the federal government, the Sabah state government should introduce additional stimulus package – giving temporary relief for the tourism industry players, retailers, coffee shop owners, low-income and vulnerable groups in Sabah as well as preventing more Sabahans from losing their jobs.
Also, the Sabah state government needs to provide an automatic moratorium extension, wage subsidy, rental exemption and extension of Employee Retention Programme (ERP) for another three to six months to the affected economic sectors during this MCO 2.0. This would provide breathing space for the affected economic sectors and vulnerable groups to weather the storm.
As suggested by Former Communications and Multimedia Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak, the Ministry of Education (MOE) Malaysia could work with private broadcasters on screening educational TV programmes.
It would not only help to overcome insufficient online learning access in rural areas or for families with limited devices or Internet plans, but the lessons also can be played repeatedly 24 hours a day.
He also proposed MOE to organise the dissemination of recording lessons to schools, ensuring students in the B40 and M40 families are not left behind in their studies during the school closure.
Although the current Sabah state government is considering the provision of electronic devices to the underprivileged students in the state, it is also crucial for the teachers to have close contact with their students from the underprivileged families by distributing physical learning materials and organising regular home visits.
As the R0 (R-naught) for Sabah has dropped to 0.83 – a relatively manageable level to control the virus infection, the Sabah state government should not purely follow on the federal’s move by introducing conditional MCO (CMCO) to allow more business sectors such as spa, beauty and reflexology sectors resuming their operations, while still stressing the importance for all Sabahans to observe the SOPs.
When the Sabah state government is attentive to the welfare of Sabahans, the state would be able to better weather the health crisis eventually and reap more socio-economic development in the state.
Amanda Yeo is Research Analyst at EMIR Research, an independent think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research.
** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.
Amanda Yeo
Wed Feb 10 2021
![A good beginning for Sabah but more can be done A good beginning for Sabah but more can be done](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-02/81612930428_BenderaSabah.jpg)
When the Sabah state government is attentive to the welfare of Sabahans, the state would be able to better weather the health crisis eventually and reap more socio-economic development in the state. BERNAMA file pic
![MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721105894_AhmadZahidHamidi.jpg)
MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid
MARA diminta untuk terus meneroka potensi antarabangsa dalam industri halal yang mempunyai prospek besar menerusi program Gate to Global (GTG).
Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan berikutan komitmen peribadi
Pengurus pasukan kebangsaan Malaysia, Kim Pan-gon menyatakan perletakan jawatan tersebut kerana komitmen peribadi.
#AWANInews
#AWANInews
![Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721102997_SimposiumDronKeban.jpg)
Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi
Penggunaan dron membolehkan pemantauan pencemaran alam sekitar dan hidupan liar serta pencerobohan hutan dilaksanakan dengan lebih berkesan.
![Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan ketua jurulatih Harimau Malaya Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan ketua jurulatih Harimau Malaya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/71718142997_KimPanGon.jpg)
Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan ketua jurulatih Harimau Malaya
Kim Pan-gon menjadi satu-satunya individu yang bakal meninggalkan pasukan manakala Pau Marti bersama staf sokongan yang lain kekal di Kelana Jaya.
![Bekas pengawal peribadi Wan Azizah cedera kemalangan Bekas pengawal peribadi Wan Azizah cedera kemalangan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721109015_bekaspengawalperib.jpg)
Bekas pengawal peribadi Wan Azizah cedera kemalangan
Bekas anggota polis wanita yang kini bekerja sebagai pengawal peribadi cedera setelah motosikal ditunggangnya melanggar sebuah SUV di lebuh raya PLUS.
![Rang Undang-undang Kebebasan Maklumat dijangka dibentang akhir tahun ini - Kulasegaran Rang Undang-undang Kebebasan Maklumat dijangka dibentang akhir tahun ini - Kulasegaran](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719996195_MKulasegaran.jpg)
Rang Undang-undang Kebebasan Maklumat dijangka dibentang akhir tahun ini - Kulasegaran
RUU Kebebasan Maklumat dijangka dibentangkan di Parlimen pada akhir tahun ini selepas cadangan ketetapan bagi penggubalan Akta Kebebasan Maklumat dibawa ke Jemaah Menteri untuk kelulusan.
![Azizi dilantik Ketua Polis Perak baharu Azizi dilantik Ketua Polis Perak baharu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721108438_azizi.jpg)
Azizi dilantik Ketua Polis Perak baharu
Timbalan Ketua Polis Perak Datuk Azizi Mat Aris dilantik sebagai Ketua Polis Perak yang baharu hari ini.
![ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, tak 'lompat parti' - Takiyuddin ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, tak 'lompat parti' - Takiyuddin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721108165_ADUNRembiaPN.jpg)
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, tak 'lompat parti' - Takiyuddin
Menurut Takiyuddin, keahlian Muhamad Jailani yang juga wakil rakyat UMNO diterima pada 10 Jun tahun lalu, namun diumumkan secara rasmi hari ini.
Kita perlu belajar hidup dengan COVID-19 - Pakar
Itu kata Pakar Perubatan Kesihatan Awam, Bahagian Kawalan Penyakit, Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM), Dr Aznida Mohamad Zaki yang berkata pihaknya akan berusaha semampu mungkin dalam menggalakkan praktis kendiri dikalangan orang awam bagi mencegah penularan wabak seperti mana yang pernah dilakukan sebelum ini.
LHDN lulus 141,406 permohonan PKPS 2.0
Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN) telah meluluskan sebanyak 141,406 permohonan program khas pengakuan sukarela (PKPS) 2.0 yang melibatkan 102,572 bilangan kes pembayar cukai individu, 27,707 bilangan kes syarikat dan selebihnya melibatkan lain kategori seperti pertubuhan.
![Dakwaan dadah dijual seperti pisang goreng di Sabah keterlaluan - Polis Dakwaan dadah dijual seperti pisang goreng di Sabah keterlaluan - Polis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71720524372_Jautehdikun.jpg)
Dakwaan dadah dijual seperti pisang goreng di Sabah keterlaluan - Polis
Pesuruhjaya Polis Sabah Datuk Jauteh Dikun menyifatkan dakwaan dadah dijual seperti 'pisang goreng' di Sabah sebagai satu kenyataan yang keterlaluan.
![15 SST projek Lebuhraya Pan Borneo Fasa 1B dikeluarkan suku ketiga 2024 15 SST projek Lebuhraya Pan Borneo Fasa 1B dikeluarkan suku ketiga 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720509366_DatukIrShahelmeyY.jpg)
15 SST projek Lebuhraya Pan Borneo Fasa 1B dikeluarkan suku ketiga 2024
Sebanyak 15 Surat Setuju Terima (SST) kepada kontraktor bagi projek Lebuhraya Pan Borneo Sabah Fasa 1B dijangka dikeluarkan pada suku ketiga tahun ini, Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) diberitahu hari ini.
![Kerajaan Sabah warta Hari Sabah pada 31 Ogos Kerajaan Sabah warta Hari Sabah pada 31 Ogos](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720177589_HariSabah.jpg)
Kerajaan Sabah warta Hari Sabah pada 31 Ogos
Kerajaan Sabah mewartakan pengisytiharan Hari Sabah pada 31 Ogos.
![Penari cilik Sabah bersinar di Tarian Piala Dunia, bawa pulang 3 pingat emas Penari cilik Sabah bersinar di Tarian Piala Dunia, bawa pulang 3 pingat emas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720161501_TARIANPIALADUNIA.jpg)
Penari cilik Sabah bersinar di Tarian Piala Dunia, bawa pulang 3 pingat emas
Pelajar dari empat sekolah iaitu Sekolah Kebangsaan Mutiara, SK St. Agnes, SK Sri Gaya, dan SK Bundu berjaya membawa pulang dua perak dan dua pingat gangsa di Tarian Piala Dunia (DWC) di Prague
![Projek bekalan air luar bandar Sabah, Sarawak tidak capai objektif - LKAN Projek bekalan air luar bandar Sabah, Sarawak tidak capai objektif - LKAN](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720089777_pipes.jpg)
Projek bekalan air luar bandar Sabah, Sarawak tidak capai objektif - LKAN
Gangguan bekalan air di Sarawak dan Sabah yang tidak ditangani dengan baik menyebabkan penduduk luar bandar di dua negeri tersebut, masih tidak dapat menikmati bekalan air bersih dan terawat.
![Bank Rakyat tawar moratorium sehingga 6 bulan kepada mangsa banjir di Sabah Bank Rakyat tawar moratorium sehingga 6 bulan kepada mangsa banjir di Sabah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41719971161_banjirpenampangs.jpg)
Bank Rakyat tawar moratorium sehingga 6 bulan kepada mangsa banjir di Sabah
Kemudahan ini ditawarkan bagi mengurangkan beban dan kesulitan yang dihadapi pelanggan sekali gus berharap dapat memberi kelegaan kepada mereka yang terjejas.
![Miskin tegar: Kerajaan beri tumpuan kepada Sabah, Kelantan, Sarawak dan Kedah Miskin tegar: Kerajaan beri tumpuan kepada Sabah, Kelantan, Sarawak dan Kedah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51719810784_HanifahHajar.jpg)
Miskin tegar: Kerajaan beri tumpuan kepada Sabah, Kelantan, Sarawak dan Kedah
Empat negeri didapati mempunyai peratusan kemiskinan tegar lebih tinggi daripada nasional iaitu Sabah, Kelantan, Sarawak dan Kedah.
![Banjir: 10 sekolah di Sabah ditutup hari ini Banjir: 10 sekolah di Sabah ditutup hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41719808253_banjirpenampangs.jpg)
Banjir: 10 sekolah di Sabah ditutup hari ini
Lebih 5,000 murid dan 307 guru terjejas, melibatkan enam sekolah di Penampang, dua di Tuaran, masing-masing satu di Papar dan Sipitang.
![Program Sabah-Malaysia Rumah Keduaku terima permohonan mulai esok Program Sabah-Malaysia Rumah Keduaku terima permohonan mulai esok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719746249_KUNDASANG.jpg)
Program Sabah-Malaysia Rumah Keduaku terima permohonan mulai esok
Kabinet Negeri Sabah meluluskan program Sabah-Malaysia Rumah Keduaku (Sabah-MM2H) dan bersedia menerima permohonan daripada peserta mulai esok, 1 Julai.
![SST 15 pakej kerja Lebuhraya Pan Borneo Sabah Fasa 1B dijangka dikeluarkan suku ketiga 2024 - Alexander SST 15 pakej kerja Lebuhraya Pan Borneo Sabah Fasa 1B dijangka dikeluarkan suku ketiga 2024 - Alexander](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61719295363_BangunanParlimen.jpg)
SST 15 pakej kerja Lebuhraya Pan Borneo Sabah Fasa 1B dijangka dikeluarkan suku ketiga 2024 - Alexander
Sebanyak 15 daripada 19 pakej kerja bagi projek Lebuhraya Pan Borneo (LPB) Sabah Fasa 1B kini dalam proses penilaian akhir tender terbuka, persidangan Dewan Rakyat diberitahu hari ini.