Poor infra blow to many rural villages: Allocations often fall short in Sabah, says IDS

LocalPolitics
26 Mar 2025 • 9:44 AM MYT
Daily Express
Daily Express

Daily Express Online (Malaysia) is Sabah's top-ranked & most viewed English news site. It is also Sabah's leading & most circulated daily English newspaper.

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By: Abbey Junior

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s rural communities face significant infrastructure challenges due to limited government funding, a barrier that continues to impact local development, said Sabah grassroots community think tank, Institute for Development Studies Sabah (IDS).

Anita Limjoon, Associate Director and Head of the Regional Development Division of IDS, said there is a pressing need for improved infrastructure to support sustainable growth in Sabah’s rural regions.

Speaking as a panellist during a workshop on “Development Demands for Malaysia – Response for Sabah,” recently, Anita outlined critical infrastructure gaps in areas like road access, clean water, electricity and digital connectivity that continue to hinder daily life and economic participation.

“Basic infrastructure like roads and clean water are essential for rural communities, yet many areas remain underserved,” she shared, emphasising that the lack of access not only disrupts everyday life but also limits economic opportunities.