Sandakan: The government has announced plans to establish an Institut Kemahiran MARA (IKM) in Sandakan as part of its efforts to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and tackle youth unemployment in Sabah. This initiative was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the establishment of the institute is deemed crucial to satisfy local demand and provide skills training opportunities, enabling Sabah's youth to secure employment within their home state. Dr Ahmad Zahid emphasized the necessity of the institute, noting that despite the presence of 24 GiatMARA centres in Sabah, there remains a significant need for a college in the region.

Dr Ahmad Zahid further elaborated that apart from the existing IKM college in Kota Kinabalu, the Sandakan area is in dire need of a higher TVET college to offer skills training to local students. His remarks came during a press event following the Sentuhan Kasih Desa@Sungai Sibuga programme, which was attended by notable figures including Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Kedah UMNO chief Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

Additionally, the event was graced by Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates participating in the 17th Sabah State Election, such as Datuk Suhaimi Nasir for Sungai Sibuga, Mohd Zharif Aizat Samsudin for Sekong, Zaini Tiksun for Sungai Manila, and Datuk Chin Kim Hiung for Karamunting.

In his speech, Dr Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Development Minister, underscored that the proposed IKM would assist Sandakan youths in securing better-paying jobs upon graduation. He expressed the government's desire to have Sabah youths trained and employed locally to support their families and address the unemployment issue in the state, which significantly contributes to Malaysia's overall unemployment rate.

Moreover, Dr Ahmad Zahid mentioned that the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, along with MARA, will pursue the necessary funding to fast-track the construction of the IKM, contingent on BN obtaining the mandate in the upcoming state election, scheduled for November 29, with early voting on November 25.