Sabah has highest hardcore poor in 2020

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has recorded the highest number of hardcore poor in 2020 at 25.3 percent, exceeding other states in the country, said Sebatik assemblyman Hassan Gani Pengiran Amir.

He said that this data was derived from the Malaysia Statistics Department for its socio-economic report for 2021.

Hassan also said that according to the World Bank report in 2020, Sabah’s poverty level is three times the national poverty average and is the highest in the country.

“The report also mentioned that nearly 36 percent of those living in poverty in the nation are in Sabah,” he said at the State Assembly sitting on Monday.

“In 2019, only Penampang district registered a poverty level below the national poverty average. However, the poverty rate in Tongod is at the rate of 57 percent and 10 times the national poverty average,” he said.

Hassan also said that the traditional fishermen at Sabah’s east coast, particularly those at islands, could not enjoy the maximum sea production as they have to compete with trawlers that are not owned by the Sebatik people and managed by foreigners.

He proposed for the government to provide a grant for the fishermen to build larger vessels that could be shared with five fishermen on a joint venture.

“With the bigger boat, they will be able to harvest a better catch and compete with the trawlers who are becoming greedier, venturing into prohibited zones to carry out their fishing activities,” he said.

Hassan also commented on the unemployment rate in Sabah, which he claims, has the highest rate and is known as one of the five lagging states.

He said that Sabah recorded 8.6 percent unemployment rate which is the highest in the nation. Graduate unemployment in Sabah is 8.1 percent in 2019 and 8.4 percent in 2021.

“As we are aware, youths are the country’s asset and need to be given opportunities in the economy, in economic growth. With this, the unemployment rate involving rural youths and graduates is expected to be reduced,” he said.

Hassan also spoke of the plight of oil palm planters at islands within Sebatik and said that these farmers sell their produce at a lower price to private companies as compared to producers in the mainland.