Economic Solidarity Crisis Among the KDM: Why Do Our Own People Fail to Support Their Own?

By Mohd Khairy Abdullah @ Henry

SOOK, Sabah (Malaysia), 8 March 2026 – After more than two decades of observing the attitudes, thought patterns, and future prospects of the KadazanDusun and Murut (KDM) communities in small-scale economic ventures, one pressing question continues to haunt me: why does our own community still fail to build collective economic strength on its own land?

This question is not merely rhetorical, sentimental, or rooted in cultural nostalgia. It emerges from field observations, social experiences, and repeated small-scale studies that reveal a recurring pattern: the failure of economic solidarity within the community itself.

In an informal field observation, I encountered two side-by-side stalls. Both sold nearly identical products: fried bananas, fried noodles, beverages, and traditional pastries. Prices and location were almost identical.

Yet the critical difference was not the products, but the identity of the vendors. The first stall was operated by a local Dusun vendor, while the second was run by a foreign Bugis vendor.

After approximately 12 hours of operations, the sales gap was staggering: the Bugis stall recorded RM500–RM600 in sales, whereas the Dusun stall earned only around RM20–RM30. A large portion of the food remained unsold and was eventually distributed freely.

Economically, this disparity is far more than a small number. It reflects a failure of social support for the community’s own economic actors. The Bugis vendor received strong support from their community, who came to buy, assist, and indirectly sustain a network of economic activity among themselves.

This phenomenon aligns with global socio-economic studies. Community solidarity is a primary factor in the economic success of ethnic groups: the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia, Jewish communities in global finance, and Indian trading networks are frequently cited by scholars as examples of “ethnic economic networks” – systems built on trust and communal support.

In contrast, Dusun vendors rarely receive equivalent backing. In fact, segments of the KDM community often purchase from external vendors rather than supporting their own. This situation is painful and highlights the fragility of communal loyalty within the KDM.

Further observations indicate that KDM individuals married to foreigners are more likely to support the economic networks of their spouses’ communities. In some cases, foreign women play a dominant role in managing operations, building supply chains, and expanding family economic influence. Yet the knowledge and business experience gained seldom flow back into the local community, leaving KDM people marginalized from economic chains that should rightfully belong to them.

Economic Dominance in Micro-Sectors? – This phenomenon is clearly visible in many areas of Sabah: night markets, local markets, and agricultural distribution networks. Small and medium-sized enterprises are often dominated by external communities. Ironically, these economic opportunities exist within KDM-majority areas – villages, interior districts, and local communities. Without internal solidarity, these opportunities are ultimately seized by more cohesive and disciplined external groups.

A more complex issue is the role of local leadership. Politicians and local machinery often focus on short-term political survival rather than developing the economic capacity of the community. Strategic programs – entrepreneurship training, community cooperatives, or local supply chain development – are rarely implemented consistently. Political power is gained through elections, but seldom translated into long-term economic strategy.

Consequently, KDM communities continue to rely on temporary aid, small projects, or political patronage, none of which build lasting economic strength.

The most disheartening truth is that KDM communities possess significant potential across sectors: agriculture, rural tourism, food businesses, agricultural logistics, and small industries.

Yet this potential will only be realized if three fundamental changes occur: Awareness of community economic solidarity, Social cohesion in supporting each other’s businesses and Leadership that understands strategic community economic development

Without these changes, KDM will continue to be observers and consumers on their own land, while external communities exploit opportunities with greater unity, strategy, and discipline.

This article is not written to assign blame. It is written with concern, empathy, and moral responsibility for the economic future of our own community.

The real question is no longer who is at fault; the more pressing question is: Are KDM communities ready to change, or will we continue to watch our own people remain mere spectators in the economy of their own land?

Think about it.