SABAH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS TO 5.7 PER CENT IN THIRD QUARTER OF 2025

SANDAKAN, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- 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.

Sabah DAP chairman Phoong Jin Zhe said that for the third quarter of 2019, unemployment stood at 136,000 people, but has been reduced to 110,000 people in the third quarter of this year.

He said that when he first held the post of Minister of Industrial Development two years ago, the unemployment rate in the state was at 8.1 per cent, adding that it has been reduced to 5.7 per cent, the biggest drop since the post-COVID-19 pandemic.

"For the working population, the figure increased by 170,000 people from 1.67 million people working in the first quarter of 2024,” he told a media conference at the Tanjong Papat DAP operations room here today.

Phoong, who is also the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Likas state constituency in the 17th Sabah State Election, said the achievement proved the effectiveness of efforts to attract investments and ensure continuous industrial development in the state.

Regarding his strategy to draw close to the 53 per cent of voters aged 40 and below, he said the best approach would be through strengthening the economy and creating more job opportunities, thus attracting the participation of youths in the state's development.

In the 17th state election, Phoong will face a six-cornered contest in the Likas constituency, which has 19,100 electors.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 29 as polling day, with early voting to be held on Nov 25.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah State Election, please visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php

N19: LIKAS: SABAH: 19,100

1. Ku Yuk Cheong                            (PKS)

2. Yong Yin Loong @ Louis Yong     (PIS)

3. Candy Chiew                                (PBK)

4. Phoong Jin Zhe                            (PH-DAP)

5. Yong Yit Lee                                 (SAPP)

6. Tham Yun Fook                            (Warisan)

(2020: Tan Lee Fatt: Warisan Plus-DAP: Maj: 7,517)

-- BERNAMA