Survival Strategies of Indonesian Immigrants in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

Findings of studies on the presence of immigrant workers in Malaysia often present negative social and economic implications. Their entry into the country is frequently a contentious issue due to their presence associated often with illegal foreign workers. This paper however is an attempt to provide insights into the involvement of Indonesian immigrants in the food business sector, their business adaptability and their survival strategies in a foreign land. The Indonesian immigrants’ experiences, from their beginnings in Sabah until their current social and community achievements, are presented in this study. Anchored on a biography study orientation and the in-depth interview method, this exploratory study examines the life experiences of five food business entrepreneurs in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah using the snowball effect as a sampling method with the subsequent data analysed thematically. Findings indicate determination and dedication as the main threads in the positive survival among Indonesian food business entrepreneurs. This study identifies seven survival strategies instrumental to the success and adaptability of the Indonesian immigrant community in their host country. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that (1) not all immigrants become liabilities to their host country and community, (2) some immigrants develop local communities by building public religious schools, and (3) some immigrants contribute to the development of local economies. The findings from this study can be utilised to develop better and more positive social and economic development overtures that could sustain a harmonious and peaceful society.

COVID-19 and the precarity of Indonesian workers in the oil palm production in Sabah, East Malaysia

“…Sabah is the second largest oil palm producing state in Malaysia (after Sarawak), contributing about 25 percent of the country’s oil palm (Reuters Staff, 2020). The significance of focusing the oil palm production in Sabah also lies on the complex intersection between the sector and a range of social phenomenon such as migration, poverty, high level of remoteness, lack of national identity and legal employment status, predominantly among the Indonesian and Filipino workers and their children (World Vision, 2012; Abdul Aziz and Iskandar, 2017; Dzurizah and Jalihah, 2014). Sabah is unique, as opposed to Peninsular Malaysia, in that migrant workers are legally allowed to have their family members (spouses and children) to accompany them to stay in Sabah (Puder, 2019).…”

Measuring Child Labor in Oil Palm Production in Sabah, Malaysia

“…When female children are involved in agricultural activities, the type of work they do often differs from male children. For example, male children tend to use sharp tools and undertake chemical spraying (see Carter & Roelen, 2017), while female children usually undertake more lighter works such as collecting loose fruits (Dzurizah & Jalihah, 2014), and bringing meals and water to their parents (Carter & Roelen, 2017). Semi-structured interviews with several female respondents found that while some female children are expected to help parents undertake oil palm activities, they are also responsible for helping parents take care of their younger siblings at home and performing everyday household chores.…”

“…In Sabah specifically, there has been a growing literature studying the employment of children and/or child labor. In Sabah specifically, these studies explained the intersection between child labor, household poverty and geographical remoteness (see Abdul Aziz & Iskandar, 2017; Dzurizah & Jalihah, 2014; Pye et al, 2012; World Vision, 2012); children working in long hours, less pay and barriers to education (see Ibrahim & Shah, 2014); and children affected by cross-border migration, irregularity, and lack of documentation (see Earthworm Foundation, 2019; Ibrahim & Shah, 2014; Ismail, 2008; Puder, 2019; Wahab & Dollah, 2022).…”

“…There are existing academic research and public reports exposing children’s participation in various economic activities and sectors in Malaysia (see Abdul Aziz & Iskandar, 2017; Dzurizah & Jalihah, 2014; Earthworm Foundation, 2019; Fair Labor Association, 2018; Janzen, 2018; Puder, 2019; Rainforest Action Network [RAN], 2010; Solidar, 2019; Wahab, 2022). Early research by scholars such as Jomo (1992) argued that the employment of children had already existed in the 1990s, occurring in both urban and rural areas, affecting various economic sectors including agriculture.…”