SABAH must strengthen technical education, digital readiness, and youth development to remain competitive and sustain long-term economic growth, a state assemblyman said.
Sungai Manila Assemblyman Datuk Hazem Mubarak Tun Musa said investment in human capital is just as critical as physical infrastructure in driving the state’s progress.
“No matter how strong our physical infrastructure is, it will become a white elephant if we fail to produce local talent capable of managing and driving the economy forward,” he said.
Hazem said technical and vocational education and training (TVET) must be aligned more closely with industry needs to ensure Sabah youths are equipped with relevant, high-value skills.
“We do not want our youths to remain spectators or only fill lower-level roles in our own industrial development,” he said.
He called for a revamp of TVET programmes to include emerging fields such as industrial robotics, electric vehicle maintenance, drone technology and artificial intelligence.
Hazem also urged closer collaboration between training institutions and industry players, including multinational companies operating in Sabah.
“Investors should play a role by providing modern training equipment and offering employment opportunities to graduates upon completion of their training,” he said.
On digital transformation, he said infrastructure alone is not enough without improvements in governance and service delivery.
“Providing fibre optics and improving internet speed alone will not transform Sabah if the efficiency of public service delivery remains weak,” he said.
He stressed the need for a comprehensive digital governance framework to ensure better integration across government agencies.
“We cannot continue working in silos, with each agency developing its own systems without proper integration,” he said.
Hazem said better use of data and digital systems could help improve traffic management, speed up business approvals and enhance overall efficiency.
He also highlighted the need to bridge the digital divide, particularly in rural areas where students still face limited access to stable internet and outdated facilities.
“How can these students compete in science, technology, engineering and mathematics if they do not even have proper digital access?” he asked.
He proposed the establishment of youth innovation hubs or “makerspaces” in rural districts, equipped with high-speed internet, computers and basic coding facilities to nurture talent.
Hazem also raised concerns about the mental wellbeing of youths in an increasingly digital and competitive environment.
“Innovation must go hand in hand with mental resilience. We must ensure our young people are supported not just academically, but emotionally,” he said.
He suggested expanding counselling services, including digital platforms such as tele-counselling, to help youths cope with stress and mental health challenges.
Hazem said Sabah’s future ultimately depends on how well the state invests in its younger generation.
“The future of Sabah does not lie solely in our natural resources, but in the capabilities of our youths today,” he said.
