World · Malaysia Bureau
Sabah leader vows to break poverty's grip on children's futures
Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has pledged to ensure that economic hardship does not limit educational opportunities for the state's youth, drawing on his own childhood experience of financial struggle.
LSN Malaysia ·
KUDAT — Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has committed to removing financial barriers that prevent disadvantaged children from accessing education, citing his mother's sacrifice in borrowing money to pay for his exam fees as formative to his mission.
Speaking in Kudat, Hajiji emphasised that poverty should not become a determining factor in shaping the trajectories of Sabah's younger generation. He underscored the importance of creating equitable opportunities for all children, regardless of their family's economic circumstances.
The commitment reflects broader efforts by the Sabah state government to address educational inequality and improve access to schooling across the region. Hajiji's remarks highlight how early experiences of financial hardship have influenced his policy priorities as a senior state leader.
The chief minister's pledge comes as Sabah continues efforts to strengthen its education system and support schemes aimed at ensuring disadvantaged families do not face obstacles in enrolling their children in school. Initiatives focused on reducing the cost of education are seen as crucial to improving long-term social mobility in the state.
Photo: Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor during a meeting with a US diplomat, April 2024. U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).