Social development, social change and development planning in Sabah

Abstract

Development is, perhaps, one of the most elusive and confusing concept and yet ubiquitous in developing countries. Academicians have dissected it beyond recognition to most laymen. Unscrupulous politicians used it as a trojan horse. Some villagers thought it to mean subsidy such as goats for 'pawah'. In short, development is seen differently by different people dependent upon their respective vantage points. How one would visualize the concept of development is very much analogous to the interpretation given by the three blindmen on the shape of an elephant, wherein each of them were touching different parts of the body. The blindman who touches the tail thought that an elephant is like a rope. While the one who touches one of the legs thought that it is like a tree. In reality, development is not really that elusive and confusing concept that bewildered serious thinkers and laymen alike. This is so if one visualizes development as a concept that is by definition integrated. It is a process of individual and social betterment encompassing social, cultural, economics and politics (Lim Teck Ghee, 1981). Problems begin to creep in when planners, politicians and administrators began to restrict themselves merely to economic development. Ipso facto, the public at large will also begin to associate the concept of development with merely economic development. In my view, this is what seems to be happening. What therefore is needed now is to free the concept of development from the one dimensional view. This paper is written precisely to free the concept of development from the one dimensional view to a more holistic and integrative view, which is more reflective of human condition. In this paper, I shall attempt to discuss relevant socio-cultural parameters which are relevant for development planners. The illustrations used in the discussions are not meant to be exhaustive. They are, however, meant to increase public awareness on other non-economic dimensions of development planning.