Kota Kinabalu: The Government is taking a step forward in addressing the long-standing housing challenges in Sabah by increasing the SMJ housing allocation to 40 units for each State Assembly constituency.
However, the reality on the ground remains deeply concerning — far too many Sabahans are still living on government land, without access to basic amenities or legal ownership security, said Tanjong Papat Assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon.
Advertisement“The State Government must speed up efforts to provide affordable housing so newlyweds can start their lives without having to rely on their parents,” said Poon when debating the Head of State’s policy speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting.
He also highlighted the concern of coastal and island communities, as under the current SMJ Housing guidelines, the construction of houses on water is prohibited.
“While this restriction may stem from regulatory considerations, it has inadvertently excluded many eligible applicants from coastal areas who are genuinely in need of housing.
“I urge the government to review and revise these guidelines to be more flexible and sensitive to local cultures, so that no community is left behind in our housing agenda,” he said.
AdvertisementFurthermore, he said that with the surge in tourist arrivals to Sabah, we must not overlook the growing housing needs of the tourism industry workforce — from hotel staff and tour guides to transport operators and service providers.
“If we are truly serious about making Sabah a premier tourism destination, we must also ensure that social infrastructure, particularly housing for this vital sector’s workforce, grows in tandem with economic expansion.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Without adequate housing for these workers, the sustainability of our tourism industry may be at risk,” said Poon.
He also urged the government to address the frequent water supply disruptions decisively.
“It is no longer acceptable for the people to endure unreliable water supply while awaiting long-term solutions.
“A comprehensive audit of our water infrastructure is urgently needed, and we require a public action plan with a clear timeline — village by village, district by district,” he suggested.
The condition of roads in rural areas remains deplorable, often endangering lives and deterring investment, he said.
“I urge the State Government to tighten oversight on infrastructure contracts and to ensure that maintenance is carried out regularly,” he said.
He also expressed concern over changes in the international trade landscape following the tariffs imposed by the United States on many countries, including on products from China.
While this appears to open new opportunities for global exporters, its implications for Sabah warrant close scrutiny, he said.
“Our economy — particularly in sectors such as palm oil, aquaculture, logging, and manufacturing — relies heavily on export channels connected to global supply chains involving China.
“These US policy changes may shift trade flows, create new competitive pressures, and alter global market prices — all of which could impact Sabah’s producers,” he said.
In this regard, he urged the State Government to work closely with trade associations and exporters to assess the impact of these policies on local industries.
He said the government needs to identify new potential markets for Sabah’s products in line with global shifts, including providing targeted support such as market intelligence, financing, and technology grants to ensure our exporters remain competitive.
He also wanted to know whether technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes are truly aligned with the needs of our business and professional communities.
“Does the ministry possess data indicating which courses meet market needs and which do not?
“Can we identify areas where we are training too many, or too few, based on industry feedback?” he asked.
Without this information, he said, the Government risks producing graduates with limited job prospects, while industries continue to face a shortage of skilled workers.