Come home and make a difference, young Sabahans told

 

One of Sayap’s founding members Natasha Sim is a ‘returnee’ who currently works as a chief strategy officer at one of Sabah’s government-linked companies.

KOTA KINABALU: A group of young Sabah entrepreneurs and professionals has urged others who have left the state to return and contribute to its growth.

The newly founded Sabah Young Entrepreneurs & Professionals (Sayap) is hoping to be the “point of contact” for those wishing to return and at the same time, stem the state’s brain drain.

Sayap comprises young Sabahans who have returned after studying or working overseas as professionals in a variety of sectors and entrepreneurs who want to contribute to the growth and development of the state by volunteering their time and effort.

One of its founding members, 28-year-old Natasha Sim, is a “returnee” who currently works as a chief strategy officer at one of Sabah’s government-linked companies.

“The objective of Sayap is to ensure we reduce brain drain and there is no better spokesperson than ourselves, having gone through the same experience.

“We have lived overseas and experienced different economic and business environments, and we believe more can be done in our own home state of Sabah,” she said.

The group hopes to change the narrative that there are not many opportunities in Sabah.

Sim said Sabah is experiencing significant growth in numerous industries and economic sectors under the current administration led by chief minister Hajiji Noor, but the state is struggling to provide the necessary high-skilled human capital.

Sim said for those educated abroad with certain niche skills, there were not many incentives to return to the state.

“We see many brilliant and even renowned Sabahans contributing abroad, and we are left wondering how we might reverse the brain drain.

“It is heartening to see that a rising number of young Sabahans are motivated to give back and contribute their expertise,” she said.

Sim attributed the successful launch of Sayap to Hajiji’s unwavering support in welcoming young professionals and entrepreneurs to share their ideas, contribute and have their voices heard.

“Sayap can achieve all of our aims and objectives only with the state government’s support,” she said.

The non-political foundation now has more than 70 members who work in key positions in industries such as oil and gas, digital technology, agriculture, medicine, sustainable energy, law, construction, engineering, performing arts, and timber. They also include business owners and social entrepreneurs.

Sayap is also affiliated with the Sabah Economic Advisory Council, a group established by the state government last year to complement the government’s efforts to boost the state’s economic recovery.

Among the activities planned for Sayap’s members are mentoring circles, collaborative industrial partnerships with local universities and training providers, technology transfer focusing on key sectors as well as business masterclass programmes.

“We hope more individuals with similar visions and aspirations would join us in unleashing the economic potential of Sabah through young Sabahans,” she said. - FMT