KOTA KINABALU: The Kolej Kemahiran Islam Sabah will be established at the Pusat Latihan Dakwah Marasinsim in Kota Marudu soon, according to the President of the Sabah Islamic Organization (USIA), Datuk Hj Sapawi Hj Ahmad.
He said that the college is being developed in collaboration with the Darul Ridzuan Islamic Skills Institute (IKDAR), thus becoming a center for the development of talents and skills for the youth graduating from tahfiz and pondok institutions in Sabah.
“Initially, we will offer a Distance Learning Program (PJJ) in partnership with IKDAR,” he said.
Also present was the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak), Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
Sapawi made these remarks while speaking at the Aidilfitri 2026 Thanksgiving Ceremony at the USIA Tower, 1Borneo, here today.
He mentioned that this aligns with USIA’s initiative to sustain the agenda of Islamic education and skills in the state.
According to him, since taking over the leadership of USIA in June 2022, the NGO has outlined six strategic priorities.
These include human capital development, which aims to produce quality, knowledgeable, and ethical individuals in line with the demands of community development.
Additionally, Sapawi noted that previously stalled USIA land asset development projects have been thoroughly reviewed and are now being successfully implemented in a more organized manner.
He stated that this includes the USIA Building Renovation Project in Bulatan Sembulan, which is smoothly progressing into its second phase.
“For strategic development projects, the USIA land development in Sembulan (Toh Puan Hostel site) is currently in the earthworks and piling phase as an initial step towards more comprehensive development,” he said.
He added that the Sipadan Plaza Development Project in Semporna has shown encouraging progress and is expected to be fully completed by 2027.
