Kapayan Programmes Were Tailored to situations and people's need: Jannie

13 March 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The community programmes introduced during her tenure as representative for Kapayan were designed with long‑term resilience in mind and are particularly relevant in periods of economic uncertainty such as the current global climate, Datuk Jannie Lasimbang said.

In a statement, Former Kapayan State Assemblyeoman, Jannie, explained that the initiatives were intended to prepare communities for times when economic conditions become more unpredictable, including the kind of household‑spending pressures highlighted recently by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

She noted that rising geopolitical tensions, including developments involving the United States and Iran, are beginning to create ripple effects across the global economy.

Economists warn that prolonged instability could push energy prices higher, feed inflation and place additional pressure on household budgets.

Even though Malaysia’s direct trade exposure to Iran is limited, global price fluctuations, currency volatility and higher energy costs can still translate into increased living expenses for ordinary families.

With major festive seasons approaching, Jannie urged households to begin preparing now by managing expenses more carefully and strengthening their household resilience.Community‑based skills for resilience.

During her time serving Kapayan, Jannie oversaw the introduction of several community programmes aimed at equipping residents with practical skills to manage resources wisely and reduce everyday costs.

“These programmes were never only about environmental awareness. They were designed to help communities become more resourceful and self‑reliant in managing their daily needs,” she said.

Among the initiatives implemented in Kapayan were composting and household waste management, rainwater harvesting, community gardening, and small‑scale cultivation such as mushroom farming.

Residents were also introduced to practical household skills including cooking, food preservation and methods to extend the life of food supplies.

Workshops covered making jams, pickling and fermenting fruits and vegetables, preparing homemade sauces, and producing preserved foods such as ikan sardine tausi.

These skills were intended to help families reduce food waste, stretch grocery budgets further and rely less on expensive processed food.

Financial literacy and traditional wisdomIn addition, some programmes introduced basic household financial management, including simple cash‑flow planning so families could better manage daily expenses and prepare for unexpected economic pressures.

“In uncertain economic times, the simplest practices can make the biggest difference. Growing food at home, preserving what we harvest, managing waste responsibly and understanding how to manage household cash flow are practical ways families can strengthen their economic resilience,” Jannie said.

She added that many of these practices reflect long‑standing indigenous traditions. For generations, indigenous communities in the region have emphasised careful management of household resources, growing food close to home and living within their means.

These traditional ways of managing the home economy have sustained communities for decades and remain relevant today.

“The programmes introduced in Kapayan were meant to build this kind of preparedness. What may have seemed like simple community activities were actually practical skills designed to help families face uncertain times,” she said.

Jannie urged communities to continue practising these habits and to pass the knowledge on within their neighbourhoods.

“When families know how to manage their resources, preserve food, grow what they can and plan their household spending, they are better prepared to face economic challenges,” she added.