KINABATANGAN: Creating job opportunities through small and medium-scale economic activities is key to addressing long-standing socio-economic challenges in Kinabatangan, says Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
The Parti Warisan president said employment prospects for young people remained among the most pressing concerns raised by residents, adding that jobs would only materialise if development was carefully planned and rooted in local strengths.
“Job opportunities only come with development. This is a large area, so we need to start with small and medium-scale initiatives that can grow and directly benefit the people,” he said when met during a campaign session with the party’s Lamag and Kinabatangan by-elections candidates.
Youth unemployment remains one of Kinabatangan’s biggest challenges, forcing many young people to leave the constituency for work in Kota Kinabalu or Peninsular Malaysia.
Shafie said that Kinabatangan possessed significant natural and economic assets that have yet to be fully utilised, citing agriculture as one immediate area with potential to generate jobs at the local level.
He spoke of local produce such as durian merah, a variety unique to parts of Kinabatangan, which he said has distinct characteristics that could be developed through research, branding and targeted investment.
“Durian demand, especially from China, is growing. This variety is different from others, and that uniqueness gives it potential if properly studied and developed,” he said, adding that niche agricultural products could attract investors while creating employment opportunities within rural communities.
Beyond agriculture, Shafie said the constituency’s ecological richness also offered strong prospects for tourism-led job creation, particularly through eco-tourism.
He described Kinabatangan as having a unique tropical environment that appeals to international visitors, especially from Europe, noting growing interest in nature-based travel experiences.
“People travel to places like Danum Valley, but Kinabatangan also has its own strengths, the ecosystem, wildlife, and landscape. These are assets that can generate jobs if properly managed,” he said.
Shafie added that tourism development should be aligned with federal initiatives to ensure better coordination and broader economic spillover to local communities, particularly during Visit Malaysia 2026.
He stressed that economic potential alone was insufficient without political will and effective representation, adding that many rural areas in Sabah continued to lag behind in basic development compared with the peninsula.
“Some areas here still face issues with water and electricity, problems that are rarely discussed elsewhere. This is why Sabah needs stronger representation to ensure rural communities are prioritised,” he said.
Shafie said development should not be about rhetoric, but about translating advocacy into tangible outcomes for people on the ground.
“Speaking loudly is not enough. What matters is whether what we raise leads to real action that improves livelihoods,” he said.
