SANDAKAN: Mara’s readiness to consider the proposal for a Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) campus in Sandakan is a clear signal that the district is now on a strategic path to becoming an academic and TVET excellence hub for Sabah’s east coast.
Sungai Sibuga candidate Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said the development marks an important shift, giving Sandakan the momentum it needs to position itself as a major education centre after years of being left behind.
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“The strong backing from Mara Chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, expressed during a meet-and-greet with local leaders at PPR Taman Murni on Monday shows that the proposal is no longer merely aspirational but is now receiving attention at the federal agency level.
“The establishment of a UniKL campus is not just about expanding the number of institutions in the district, but a long-term, structural intervention that could spur social mobility, strengthen the economy and produce skilled, industry-ready talent for East Sabah,” he said.
Suhaimi said the absence of a major higher education institution had contributed to a persistent outflow of young talent, with many students forced to travel far for quality education and not returning home after graduation.
A UniKL campus, he said, would help close this gap and provide Sandakan youth with accessible, high-standard academic and technical pathways.
Suhaimi also highlighted that East Sabah’s key economic sectors — including plantations, fisheries, agro-technology, logistics and biodiversity — urgently need professionally certified and technically skilled manpower.
“The presence of UniKL would create a demand-driven education ecosystem that links academic programmes directly with industry needs.
“Hence the proposal aligns with the Malaysia Madani framework and the national push to strengthen TVET, noting that UniKL’s standing as a reputable Mara institution could turn Sandakan into a reference point for technical and professional education in Borneo,” he said.
Calling for a forward-looking mindset, Suhaimi urged Sandakan residents to reject the belief that development can only flourish on the west coast or in the State Capital.
“Building high-quality educational infrastructure in East Sabah is essential for a more balanced and equitable future. If given the mandate in Sg Sibuga,I would champion the establishment of the UniKL campus as a top policy priority.
“A region without an institution of knowledge is a region without a future, with UniKL in Sandakan, we are building a future bigger than ourselves,” he said.
