Sabah records biggest unemployment drop as MYFutureJobs efforts yield over 71,000 job placements

Kota Kinabalu, Aug 23 — Sabah's unemployment rate fell to 5.5 percent in the first quarter of 2026 from 6 percent in the fourth quarter of the previous year, marking the most significant reduction among all Malaysian states. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor attributed the improvement to the state government's policies and coordination with federal agencies.

Kesuma and Socso facilitated 71,821 job placements in Sabah between 2020 and July 24, 2026. Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan highlighted that career carnivals, including the MYFutureJobs X Oil & Gas Kota Kinabalu 2026 event, connect local talent with industry needs. Over 327 carnivals and programmes were held in Sabah, attracting more than 11,000 jobseekers.

The MYFutureJobs national platform has facilitated over 95,000 job vacancies, with 15,000 employers registered in Sabah. The Sabah Talent Development Centre (STDC) focuses on upskilling and improving employability. The two-day MYFutureJobs X Oil & Gas Career Carnival at SICC brought together 30 oil and gas employers, offering over 3,000 jobs with salaries up to RM12,000 monthly.

Khairul Firdaus emphasized the importance of collaboration between federal and state governments, industry players, educational institutions, and training providers to ensure local talent remains aligned with future employment needs.