KOTA KINABALU: Sabah''s rural communities face significant infrastructure challenges due to limited government funding, a barrier that continues to impact local development, said Sabah grassroots community think tank, Institute for Development Studies Sabah ( IDS). Anita Limjoon (pic), Associate Director and Head of the Regional Development Division of IDS, said there is a pressing need for improved infrastructure to support sustainable growth in Sabah''s rural regions. Speaking as a panellist during a workshop on “Development Demands for Malaysia - Response for Sabah,” recently, Anita outlined critical infrastructure gaps in areas like road access, clean water, electricity and digital connectivity that continue to hinder daily life and economic participation. “Basic infrastructure like roads and clean water are essential for rural communities, yet many areas remain underserved,” she shared, emphasising that the lack of access not only disrupts everyday life but also limits economic opportunities. She said without these foundational services, rural communities find themselves increasingly isolated, struggling to keep pace with the rapid development occurring in more urbanized regions. For instance, in Penampang, inadequate road network affects villagers'' ability to transport their produce, she said. “The rural area is only 25km away, yet residents struggle to bring their produce out. During the fruit season, this becomes especially challenging, as residents often find that transportation costs exceed their earnings. It''s just fruits to some, but for them, it''s food,” she said. Anita added that villagers are sometimes forced to pay over RM100 to rent a vehicle to transport their goods, adding a financial strain to their livelihoods. These high transport costs cause substantial financial stress which, ultimately, affects the region''s overall productivity and economic sustainability. Anita further highlighted that limited government allocations often fall short of covering the broad infrastructure needs across Sabah. “That''s often the problem - there''s simply not enough allocation,” she said, noting that while IDS and local leaders strive to address these issues, funding constraints frequently restrict progress. These limitations leave many communities waiting for essential improvements, which in turn slows down efforts to provide equal development opportunities across Sabah. IDS is actively working to adapt development strategies to make the most of limited funds, but, according to Anita, the resources are stretched thin. Reflecting IDS'' commitment to addressing these challenges, Anita discussed how IDS is working to support rural development by tailoring strategies to community needs. She emphasised that development plans should adapt to rural communities'' changing needs, stressing that collaboration among government, private sectors, and local leaders is essential to ensure sustainable growth. “We need a balanced approach, where rural communities can rely on support systems that are not solely dependent on government intervention,” she added, suggesting that empowering local communities to engage in eco-tourism and local product processing could help foster economic resilience. She said by providing opportunities for villagers to process their goods locally, communities could reduce the need for costly transportation and add value to their products, generating a more sustainable income base. Addressing budget mis allocation, she explained that inefficiencies often prevent funds from reaching the intended areas. “We talk about good governance, but sometimes the budget just doesn''t get there,” she said, adding that IDS'' role includes producing reports to monitor and guide resource allocation and ensure that plans align with the real needs of rural Sabahans. IDS, she added, is committed to maintaining transparency in these evaluations, with the hope that greater accountability will lead to more impactful, measurable results for rural communities. “The foundational infrastructure is important. Without solid infrastructure, larger industries cannot effectively benefit these areas,” she warned, calling for collaborative action to build a self-sustaining future for rural Sabah. Basic infrastructure, she explained, is a springboard for broader development goals; it connects people to markets, services, and educational resources, which are all essential for thriving communities. For Anita and IDS, these improvements are not merely structural - they represent a path to economic empowerment, resilience, and independence for Sabah''s rural areas. With IDS and other local stakeholders actively involved, there is hope that with better government support, Sabah''s rural communities will gain access to essential infrastructure, paving the way for a vibrant, resilient future. Anita was one of the invited speakers at the Workshop for Good Governance Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Change in Sabah for media practitioners and civil society organisations held at Mercure Hotel, recently..