By Associate Professor (Retired) Dr. Gaim James Lunkapis
KOTA KINABALU: The establishment of the Jawatankuasa Kemajuan Desa Madani (JKDM) appears to be a justified and necessary step towards addressing the pressing socioeconomic issues faced by the state of Sabah.
According to the Department of Statistics’ Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2022, the hardcore poverty rate in Sabah stands at 1.2%, significantly higher than the national rate of 0.2%.
The situation is particularly dire in several districts, with Tongod having the highest rate at 5.9%, followed by Beluran (5%), Pitas (4.8%), Kinabatangan (4.6%), Kota Marudu (4%), Tuaran (2.6%), and both Ranau and Lahad Datu at 2.4% each.
Given these alarming statistics, it is clear that intervention is needed to lift the people of Sabah out of poverty.
The JKDM aims to provide such an intervention by focusing on the development and progress of rural communities.
The committee’s formation is timely and essential, especially considering the discrepancies in support and allocation faced by villages across different political landscapes.
Some villages are still awaiting the appointment of their Village Development Committee (JKKK), while others in opposition-led areas at the state level receive little to no allocation.
By setting up the JKDM, the government intends to streamline and ensure equitable distribution of resources and development efforts. This initiative is poised to directly benefit the rakyat, particularly those in the most impoverished districts. The focus on rural poor communities is crucial, as these areas often lack the infrastructure and opportunities necessary for socioeconomic growth.
The JKDM’s approach can potentially reduce the poverty levels in Sabah, aligning the state’s rate closer to the national average. This move should not be seen through a political lens but rather as a necessary and pragmatic approach to solving deep-rooted socioeconomic problems.
The effectiveness of the JKDM will ultimately be measured by the tangible improvements in living standards and economic opportunities for Sabah’s rural populations.
In conclusion, the ministry’s decision to establish the JKDM is a justified and commendable step towards addressing the stark poverty levels in Sabah.
With proper implementation and support, this initiative holds the promise of significantly improving the lives of the rural poor, fostering socioeconomic development, and narrowing the gap between Sabah and the rest of the nation.
