TAWAU: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (
pic) has expressed concern over new data showing 169,800 young Sabahans are jobless, making up nearly 20 per cent of Malaysia’s total unemployed.
He said the situation demands urgent solutions, particularly the creation of local job opportunities to reduce the outflow of Sabah youths seeking work in Sarawak, the Klang Valley and Johor.
Speaking after officiating the Majlis Khatam Perdana and Program Sentuhan Kasih Desa@Tanjung Batu at the Tawau Sports Complex on Tuesday, Zahid stressed that expanding Tvet-based institutions in Sabah is crucial to strengthening the State’s workforce.
He said the Federal Government plans to establish new polytechnic and Mara Skills Institute (IKM) campuses in Tawau and Kalabakan under the 13th Malaysia Plan to equip youths with industry-ready skills.
Zahid added that the initiative is not tied to the election season and emphasised that reducing Sabah’s unemployment rate and resolving basic infrastructure issues are key to attracting investors to the state.
