Kota kinabalu: Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the 17th Sabah state election, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, is expected to strengthen ties between the Federal and Sabah governments, particularly through the implementation of the 2025 Gig Workers Act, which was passed by the Dewan Rakyat last September. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim expressed confidence in Chan’s ability to bridge these two levels of government and praised Chan for his consistent efforts in representing the voices of gig workers in Sabah at the national level.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sim emphasized the importance of cooperation between the federal and state governments to ensure that the changes benefit the people of Sabah. “The MADANI government believes that every worker deserves proper protection. For these changes to truly benefit the people of Sabah, strong cooperation between the federal and state governments is important,” Sim said in a statement today. He added that leaders like Chan help solidify this relationship and ensure the effective implementation of policies aimed at improving the well-being of the people of Sabah.
In the upcoming state election, Chan, who is also the Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, will face competition from eight other candidates vying for the Tanjung Aru state seat, which has 21,264 registered electors. Sim also pointed out that Sabah has approximately 100,000 gig workers, a large group that has been operating without sufficient protection. He stressed that the new law is crucial to ensure these workers are not left without basic employment safeguards.
Earlier, Sim and Chan met with around 1,000 gig workers and young people at a gathering in Tanjung Aru to explain the 2025 Gig Workers Act. “With this recognition, gig workers will automatically receive basic protections such as social security, fair work standards, and clearer avenues for complaints,” Sim said. He added that the gig workers who attended the event expressed relief and happiness, as they now have a law that acknowledges and addresses their real challenges.
The Sabah state election will see candidates vying for 73 state seats. Polling is fixed for Nov 29, with early voting on Nov 25.