Kota Kinabalu: There were no shortage ideas on what is best for Sabah when a group of young professionals gathered at the Network Lounge event at Ibis Hotel Inanam.
The participants comprised of lawyers, medical practitioners, educators, transportation planners, civil servants, engineers, business leaders, social media influencers, executives and students.
The highlight was a discussion on Sabah’s mainly pressing issues shaping the State’s future.
Guest speaker, former State Fisheries Director Datuk Dr Rayner Stuel Galid, 65, shared insights on Sabah’s rights and matters that young Sabahans should understand as they prepare to take on leadership roles.
Valerie, 23, said she would prefer to leave Sabah temporarily to gain exposure to different skills and cultures abroad before returning to contribute.
She believes opportunities outside Sabah provide greater access to knowledge and professional growth.
Sandra, 33, a business owner noted that many young Sabahans sought better opportunities outside the State but eventually returned because of their strong ties to the local culture.
She said while salaries in Sabah are among the lowest in Malaysia, the closeness of community life and cultural belonging remain powerful reasons to come back.
Yogan, a businessman from Kuala Lumpur who has lived in Sabah for more than a decade, described the State as one of the most beautiful places to live.
However, he admitted that working in Sabah is difficult due to low wages.
“In today’s world, the cost of living is getting higher and more challenging. Comparing Kota Kinabalu with Kuala Lumpur, KK is actually more expensive,” he said.
Yogan added that while Sabah is an excellent place for property investment and ventures such as Airbnb, it is not seen as a popular choice for personal career growth.
“Will I stay long-term here? Yes, because of the people but not because of the infrastructure,” he said.
Across age groups, from those in their 20s to those in their 50s participants expressed similar concerns. High food prices, poor infrastructure, and unresolved basic issues such as water supply and road conditions were repeatedly mentioned.
Many agreed that while Sabah’s people and culture are its greatest attraction, the lack of infrastructure makes it less appealing for long-term living and working.
Language policy was another contention as under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Sabah was allowed to continue using English as an official language until an amendment by the Usno Government in 1973 made Bahasa Malaysia the official language for the State Cabinet and Legislative Assembly.
Unlike Sarawak which did not surrender its right on no official religion and use of English.
An educationist suggested that Sabah follow Sarawak’s example, where both Bahasa Malaysia and English are used in school examinations, giving students the choice of either language.
Adi Putra, another participant, argued that English should continue to be used in Parliament and official documents.
“More than half the world speaks English. It is an international language. Why not also use it if we want to develop our people and our nation?”
He also noted that English makes communication easier with neighbouring countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and others which don’t speak Bahasa Malaysia.
Participants said Sabah should consider revisiting or amending its language policy to allow English to be actively used alongside Bahasa Malaysia.
Another question raised was the role of federal agencies in Sabah’s development. Although Sabah has special autonomy under MA63, federal agencies continue to play a significant role in governance, policy-making, funding, and resource allocation.
Debate persists over whether progress is better driven by a strong federal presence or by Sabahans leading their own initiatives locally.
The majority consensus was clear - Sabah should be run by Sabahans.
Even if progress may be slower, locally led initiatives produce results that are more meaningful, sustainable, and aligned with the State’s needs and priorities.
