Sabah industrial career program offers 250 jobs as creative group seeks new permits

Eight industrial companies participating in the Sabah Industrial Career Program 2026 (KIS 2026) are offering up to 250 job vacancies across various industrial sectors. Sabah Minister for Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship, and Transportation, Datuk Ewon Benedick, encouraged graduates and job seekers to attend the program at Imago Kota Kinabalu to interview directly with company representatives.

To support local employment, the state government is implementing a ‘Sabah First’ approach and an 80:20 policy, aiming for at least 80 percent of these roles to be filled by local workers. The program also emphasizes strengthening ties between industry and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to ensure training modules meet specific workforce requirements.

Separately, the Sabah Creative Association (KREATIF SABAH) has submitted a memorandum to the Sabah government requesting the enforcement of filming and performance permits for outside productions and artists conducting commercial activities in the state. The association aims to protect local job opportunities and market space, proposing the establishment of a Creative Hub or one-stop center to streamline permit applications and reduce bureaucracy.