TELUPID: Telupid is transforming from a mere stopover point in Sabah into a developing community with significant potential to become an important socio-economic hub in the interior, said Assistant Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transportation Minister Datuk Jonnybone J Kurum.
The Telupid Assemblyman however acknowledged that the district faces challenges requiring a more precise, targeted approach focused on the genuine needs of the people.
He said this when officiating the Sabah Targeted Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Carnival 2025 “No One Left Behind” held at the Tamu Desa Pekan Telupid’s Open Hall, here.
Jonnybone said the carnival is more than just events and that they manifest the government’s commitment to working at the grassroots level, listening to residents’ voices, observing community realities and ensuring issues are resolved through planned action involving numerous stakeholders.
“When we talk about sustainable development, we are not talking about slogans or paper planning.
“We are talking about the real lives of people, parents who want a better environment for their children, youths seeking job and education opportunities, senior citizens needing support and communities that want to progress together,” he said.
He said the targeted SDG approach is important for Telupid’s context, requiring authorities to work on the ground, clearly understand what people need, and deliver precise, quick and focused solutions.
Based on the Telupid Development Aspiration 2022-2030, the district faces several structural issues requiring focused intervention.
In healthcare, Telupid records one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Sabah, an important indicator demanding immediate action and a more comprehensive community approach.
Jonnybone assured that his Ministry, together with technical agencies, will continue strengthening community health interventions in Telupid progressively.
The health, education and community sectors are bringing programs that provide awareness, screening, support and more organised follow-up actions.
In education, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), reports show the need to expand skills training, adult literacy, Functional Literacy Education (PLF) and Adult Skills Education (Leads) programs and post-secondary education access for local youth.
“The government is committed to ensuring TVET opportunities and skills-based education continue to expand in this district so Telupid youths are not left behind in the new economic stream,” he said.
“Youths and students in Telupid require broader guidance opportunities,” he added.
Additionally, he acknowledged the rural economy sector demands efforts to open income opportunities through modern agriculture, support for smallholders from relevant agencies and development of agro-commodities such as cocoa.
“We will ensure technical agencies continue strengthening guidance, training, and production support so smallholder income can be increased sustainably,” he said.
Digital and internet issues remain a major challenge, with network complaints staying high while internet service coverage remains uneven in interior areas.
“The government will continue monitoring and accelerating digital infrastructure improvements in phases to bridge Telupid residents’ digital divide,” he said.
During a media conference, Jonnybone said he hopes that relevant parties would give full attention to ensuring 24-hour water supply to Telupid residents.
He noted that water disruptions and rationing severely affect food and beverage traders in the area.
He hopes both Federal and State governments would ensure feedback and engagement results from the program do not stop at dialogue but translate into concrete follow-up actions.
“In short, we are ensuring people receive services without obstacles, without troublesome bureaucracy, and without distance between policy and life reality,” he added.
Meanwhile, the carnival, jointly hosted with the National SDG Centre and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia), brought together various agencies to deliver services directly to residents.
Present were Sedia Chief Executive cum Sabah SDG Carnival Programme 2025 Co-Chairman, Datuk Seri Hashim Paijan, Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Mohd Razali Wahab and Assistant District Officer (Administration) Muhammad Nasrul Omar, representing Telupid District Officer Celestine Jetony.
The event featured distribution of 200 food baskets to B40 households, service exhibition visits for the public and a tour of the Telupid District Health Clinic.
Four sharing sessions covered maternal healthcare in Telupid, education, training and the local economy.
Hashim said Telupid’s selection as a programme location aims to assess and identify current issues and residents’ needs.
“Direct interaction between attendees and involved agencies allows them to ask questions more closely about any problems faced,” he said.
