KUDAT – A viral video showing hundreds of youths crowding in front of a newly opened business establishment in this district has opened the eyes of many regarding the severity of the unemployment issue in the northern tip of Sabah.
According to reports, the open interview session at the Eco-Shop establishment only offered around 20 to 30 vacancies, yet the attendance of applicants was extraordinary, exceeding 200 young people. This situation is a physical representation of how desperate the youth of Kudat are for job opportunities in their own land.
"Ecoshop needs more than 30 workers, but over 200 people showed up for the interview. It’s really hard to find a job in Kudat," expressed one of the youths present, reflecting the despair experienced by many of their peers.
Kudat's Economy "Strangled"
The Chief of Wira P167 Kudat, Khairuddin Daud, emphasized that this situation is a manifestation of the chronic unemployment issue that has long plagued this district. According to him, the ratio of one vacancy for every ten applicants is clear evidence that the economy of Kudat is currently in a "strangled" state.
"When 200 people come to compete for very limited positions, it’s no longer just about finding a job; it’s a struggle for survival. It sends a clear signal that job opportunities in Kudat are very critical. Our youth are willing to stand in long lines and compete against each other just for basic positions in a store," he commented.
Absence of Downstream Industry: The Subtle Cause of Youth 'Exile'
Khairuddin described the absence of downstream industries as the main reason why this surplus of young labor cannot be absorbed into the local economy. He views Kudat as a district rich in natural resources, yet that wealth is not enjoyed by its own people.
"Our main problem is the lack of downstream industries. We have abundant natural resources, but all of that is only shipped out to be processed outside the district. Imagine if those resources were processed here; surely hundreds of the youths in that viral video would now be working in local factories or production centers."
He added that the failure to establish a sustainable industrial sector in Kudat has indirectly "exiled" these young people to migrate to big cities or overseas.
Taking Semporna as an example, Khairuddin questioned the significant economic gap despite both districts having nearly the same geographical advantages. Semporna has successfully activated the local economy through a vibrant tourism and services sector, thus providing many job options for its residents.
"Why can the economy thrive in Semporna but our youth in Kudat seem forced to give up? We do not want Kudat to continue lagging behind. We want tangible industries to be developed here so that young people no longer have to pack their bags to seek a livelihood elsewhere," he asserted.
Call for Economic Transformation
Khairuddin urged that drastic measures be taken by the government and relevant agencies to bring industrial investment to Kudat. He stressed that the viral video should serve as the final wake-up call for the authorities to view the unemployment issue in Kudat as a district crisis that requires immediate resolution.
“Political leaders in Kudat are not ordinary. The ADUN N4 Tanjung Kapor, Assistant Minister of Finance, has been an ADUN in Kudat for three terms. His experience and current position should be able to bring about economic transformation in Kudat,” he stated.
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