By WU VUIDE
TANJUNG ARU: Sabah and Indonesia’s North Kalimantan province will collaborate on a major Blue Economy initiative aimed at benefiting border communities.
Indonesian Consul General in Kota Kinabalu, Noorman Effendi, said the project, under the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan, will focus on coastal communities, including farmers and fishermen, as well as those living near mangrove and peatland areas, through training and sustainable economic activities.
“The initiative could generate new income streams, including opportunities in carbon trading, while improving livelihoods in both regions. We will make a site visit next week,” he said during the Indonesian Consulate Hari Raya open house at Wisma Indonesia.
The event was attended by State Governor Tun Musa Aman and his wife, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin; Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and his wife, Datin Seri Juliah Salag; State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya; and other guests.
He said the presence of key leaders was an honour and reflected the strong and enduring relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia, particularly Sabah.
He noted that Sabah is home to a large Indonesian community, with about 100,070 registered nationals, in addition to many who remain undocumented.
“Many work in plantations and play an important role in supporting Sabah’s palm oil industry. At the same time, they contribute to their families back home through remittances,” he said.
He stressed the importance of proper documentation, adding that it would facilitate better protection and assistance for Indonesian nationals in the state.
“Those who bring in workers must ensure they enter with valid documents. This will enable us to provide protection wherever they are,” he said.
Musa and Faridah (third and fourth right), Hajiji and Juliah (right and second left), with Noorman (second right), during the Hari Raya open house.
