SANDAKAN requires a purpose-built higher-level Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college to meet rising demand for skills-based education, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said during his visit to the district.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), noted that Sabah currently has only one Institut Kemahiran MARA (IKM) in Kota Kinabalu and 24 GiatMARA centres across the state, but lacks an institution capable of offering advanced TVET qualifications comparable to community colleges.
“In my view, this Sandakan area is very much in need of a higher-level TVET college. This is important because after Sandakan experienced a decline in the timber industry, we directed that it must be redeveloped.
“According to KKDW and MARA's assessment, we believe this area needs advanced TVET courses to be offered to students,” he said.
“I mentioned earlier that one out of five unemployed individuals comes from Sabah, and this problem (of employment opportunities) must be addressed. God willing, with the establishment of this college, it will be able to offer jobs with premium wages, higher than the minimum wage as stipulated,” he said.
“After the state election, we will announce and expedite the allocation to be brought here,” he said. .- November 23, 2025
