Kota kinabalu: The unemployment rate in Sabah has dropped to 5.7 per cent in the third quarter of this year, compared to 6.7 per cent during the same period in 2019, thus reflecting significant progress due to the state’s economic and industrial development agenda.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sabah DAP chairman Phoong Jin Zhe stated that the unemployment figure, which was 136,000 people in the third quarter of 2019, has been reduced to 110,000 people in the third quarter of this year. When he initially assumed the role of Minister of Industrial Development two years ago, the unemployment rate was at 8.1 per cent, and it has since been reduced to 5.7 per cent, marking the largest decline since the post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Phoong highlighted that the working population increased by 170,000 from 1.67 million people in the first quarter of 2024. He shared this information during a media conference at the Tanjong Papat DAP operations room. As the Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Likas state constituency in the 17th Sabah State Election, Phoong emphasized that this achievement demonstrated the success of efforts to attract investments and promote ongoing industrial development in the state.

Addressing his strategy to engage with the 53 per cent of voters aged 40 and below, Phoong explained that the optimal approach would be to strengthen the economy and create more job opportunities. This strategy aims to draw youth participation in the state’s development.

Phoong is set to compete in a six-cornered contest in the Likas constituency, which has 19,100 electors. The Election Commission has scheduled Nov 29 as polling day, with early voting to take place on Nov 25.