Kota Kinabalu: Grassroots initiatives across Sabah are proving to be the backbone of the State’s Blue Economy, where women, youth and traditional knowledge are driving efforts in marine conservation, sustainable livelihoods and cultural preservation.
The Asia Foundation (TAF) Senior Policy Advisor Malaysia, Ahmad Ikram Abdullah said the foundation’s recent field study revealed that the most meaningful progress in Sabah’s Blue Economy stems from the creativity, resilience and deep connection of local communities to the rivers and seas.
“Communities aren’t waiting, they are already leading. Across Sabah, we found people taking initiatives, showing incredible leadership in protecting marine ecosystems while creating sustainable livelihoods,” he said at the Third Asean Blue Economy Forum 2025 Exhibition at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here Tuesday.
The study, supported by the Australian Government and carried out in collaboration with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Secretariat, documented a wide range of community-led Blue Economy activities across coastal and island settlements in Semporna, Pitas, Banggi Island, Kuala Penyu, Sebatik Island and Sandakan.
Among the initiatives were eco-tourism projects, coral reef conservation, turtle hatcheries, seaweed farming, mangrove replanting, traditional boat-making, sustainable fishing and waste-to-income programmes.
Ahmad Ikram said these initiatives demonstrate that the Blue Economy can deliver environmental, social and economic benefits when communities are empowered to lead.
“What we need now is long-term investment and strong partnerships so that these efforts can grow,” he stressed.
One of the key success stories highlighted was in Semporna, where women are driving local economies through seaweed farming. By generating between RM1,000 and RM3,000 per month, their ventures not only support household income but also provide new market opportunities beyond Sabah.
“Youth, too, are proving to be powerful agents of change,” said Ahmad Ikram, pointing to Semporna and Mabul where young people are leading coral propagation, turtle hatchery monitoring and ecotourism ventures that merge conservation with meaningful careers.
The study also recognised the importance of indigenous knowledge systems in ensuring sustainable practices. Sabah’s Tagal system and Gompi Guno philosophy, which emphasise replenishing resources taken from nature, offer time-tested approaches to resource management that remain highly relevant today.
“In places like Pitas and Sebatik, these cultural practices regulate fishing and foster community unity. They show that tradition and modern sustainability goals can go hand in hand,” said Ahmad Ikram.
In Sandakan, communities are demonstrating innovation through the Trash to Cash programme, which transforms household waste into income-generating products.
The initiative, supported by the Sandakan Municipal Council, aims to recycle up to 10,000kg of waste, particularly in water villages.
“This is a great example of how the circular economy can combine sustainability with economic empowerment,” said Ahmad Ikram, adding that it also raises environmental awareness within participating communities.
Meanwhile in Kuala Penyu, families are turning their heritage into an economic asset. Through boat rentals, homestays and cultural festivals such as Odou Bakanjar, they are diversifying income streams while showcasing their traditions to visitors.
“This form of community-powered tourism not only enriches Sabah’s tourism landscape but also instils pride among locals,” he said.
The study further revealed that women and youth remain central to many community efforts. Yet, challenges persist in ensuring inclusivity, particularly for women whose economic contributions are often under-recognised and for youth whose talents risk being lost to migration.
Ahmad Ikram said stateless residents, who have lived in Sabah for generations, also face barriers in participating fully in Blue Economy opportunities due to documentation issues. “If inclusion is embraced through policy, training and active engagement, Sabah can unlock the full potential of its communities,” he said.
The Asia Foundation emphasised that partnerships are key to building capacity. NGOs, universities and government agencies such as local councils are already working with communities to provide training in fishing, aquaculture, waste management and entrepreneurship.
“Investing in local leadership is vital to ensure long-term success. Communities must be able to manage and scale their initiatives independently,” he added.
Reflecting on the journey, Ahmad Ikram said six lessons stood out: communities are already leading, women and youth are powerful agents of change, culture is a strength, inclusion builds resilience, empowerment is better than dependence and traditional governance holds valuable lessons.
He also congratulated the Sabah Government and the SMJ Secretariat for positioning the Blue Economy as a central pillar of the State’s development strategy.
“Sabah Blue Economy is more than a development agenda. It is a vibrant and evolving ecosystem of people, knowledge, culture and opportunity,” he said.
