Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Higher Education has been urged to seriously consider building a Community College in Sipitang.
Sipitang Member of Parliament, Datuk Matbali Musah, said the establishment of such a college is crucial to developing human capital among local youths.
He said the government must provide access to vocational and technical education for rural youths to ensure they are not left behind in the nation’s progress.
In the Sipitang parliamentary area, he said the aspiration to establish a community college is not new. It was raised during the 10th, 11th and 12th Malaysia Plans – but it has yet to materialise
“To date, there is not a single community college operating in our district – even as the demand for skilled manpower continues to grow.
“Young people from Sipitang must travel long distances to Beaufort or Tenom – between 60km and 90km – just to attend vocational programmes.
“Many eventually gave up, not due to a lack of interest, but because of distance and hardship,” he said in his speech when debating the 2026 Budget in the Parliament, recently.
Meanwhile, Matbali said TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) development in Sabah has been slow, with very few new projects implemented over nearly a decade.
Therefore, he said it is high time for Sipitang to be given that opportunity.
Matbali said Sipitang is not a small or insignificant district at the edge of the map, but rather the southern gateway of Sabah, bordering Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam.
In addition, he said the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip), a vital economic hub for the region, is located in the district.
Matbali also highlighted the proactive role of the Civil Defence Force (APM), particularly in the Beaufort district, in dealing with various incidents, including flood disasters.
He said parts of Beaufort, which fall within the Sipitang parliamentary constituency, are among the most flood-prone areas in Sabah.
He said several major floods have occurred in the past, including in 2014, 2017, 2021, and 2023, forcing thousands of residents to be evacuated and cutting off road and communication access in many areas.
“We hope the government will take proactive steps to further strengthen the APM as the people’s safety shield and a symbol of national preparedness in facing future disasters.
“For that, I urge that APM be given due attention, with increased allocations to expand assets and logistics, and to ensure proper maintenance of existing vehicles,” Matbali said.
He also hoped the issue of staffing within APM will be reviewed – particuarly concerning the grading of State Directors and District Civil Defence Officers.
“This is important to ensure that high-performing, qualified APM officers are given fair opportunities for promotion,” he said.
