Sandakan: Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Sungai Sibuga seat, Datuk Suhaimi Nasir, has pledged to prioritise efforts to establish a Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) campus at the Sandakan Education Hub if given the mandate in the 17th Sabah state election. Suhaimi, who is also Sabah UMNO information chief, stated that the proposal is not just a campaign promise but a development strategy based on data, rationale, and the needs of Sandakan. He emphasized the significance of educational institutions in ensuring the region's future prosperity.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sungai Sibuga is one of three state constituencies under the Libaran parliamentary seat, which borders the Sandakan parliamentary constituency. Suhaimi, who is also Libaran MP, believes it is crucial for the region to take charge in advancing its education and transformation agenda rather than waiting for development from other areas. The proposal has received acknowledgment from Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who expressed support during a meeting with local leaders in Sandakan.
Suhaimi further indicated that MARA's willingness to consider the proposal signals Sandakan's strategic move towards becoming a hub for academic excellence and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in East Sabah. The initiative aligns with the Malaysia MADANI aspiration to strengthen national TVET, highlighting UniKL's potential to become a key reference centre for technical and professional education in Borneo.
He pointed out the necessity for a nationally recognised higher education institution in Sandakan to bridge the gap in access to quality education. He noted that without institutions like UniKL, young talents continue to leave the district, perpetuating a local economy reliant on semi-skilled labour. Suhaimi stressed the importance of sectors such as plantations, fisheries, agro-technology, logistics, and biodiversity in East Sabah that require skilled, professionally certified, and industry-ready talent.
Suhaimi concluded that the presence of UniKL would foster a symbiotic relationship between academia and industry, developing a demand-driven education ecosystem. This initiative aims to produce graduates equipped with direction and industry-relevant skills. The polling for the election is scheduled for Nov 29, with early voting on Nov 25.