Designing Sabah’s Smart Ageing Blueprint: A Research Journey Towards Long-Term Solutions

Over the past year, my work on Sabah’s ageing ecosystem — highlighted in recent Daily Express and Borneo Post features — has led me to examine not only the gaps in our current system, but also the type of long-term roadmap Sabah will eventually need. The first journal, now approaching publication, analyzed structural gaps across governance, community support, caregiver challenges, and rural–urban disparities.

Building on this foundation, I am now developing a second journal that focuses on a Smart Ageing Blueprint for Sabah. This blueprint draws on local realities, regional comparisons, and global ageing frameworks to outline how Sabah can strengthen its systems over the next decade. The manuscript is progressing well, and I look forward to sharing it once the academic review processes are completed.

In recent weeks, I’ve noticed growing interest from various institutions exploring ageing-related themes — which is encouraging. When more agencies start paying attention to the same issues, it signals that the conversation is maturing. It also suggests that ageing is finally being recognised as a strategic development agenda, not merely a welfare topic.

My intention has always been simple:

to contribute research that helps Sabah think long-term, plan cohesively, and build systems that reflect our community strengths.

Multiple voices entering the space is a positive sign. What matters now is that the work ahead — whether by researchers, NGOs, government bodies, or policy institutions — is grounded in evidence, shaped by collaboration, and aligned with Sabah’s unique realities.

As the new administration settles in, I hope that the insights from these studies can add value to broader policy discussions. Ageing affects every family, every district, and every part of our economy. A thoughtful roadmap will help Sabah move from conversation to coordinated action.

I look forward to contributing to this journey as the research evolves, and to supporting a collective effort towards a more inclusive and resilient ageing future.