Leveraging Community Capital for Ageing Readiness in Sabah: Non-Capital-Intensive Lessons from ASEAN and Greater China

Abstract

Sabah is entering a phase of population ageing under structural conditions that differ markedly from metropolitan and capital-intensive settings. Geographic dispersion, uneven access to services, limited availability of specialist care, and fiscal constraints shape both the lived experience of ageing and the feasibility of policy responses. In such contexts, infrastructure-heavy and institution-centred ageing models are neither scalable nor equitable. This article therefore deliberately excludes capital-intensive approaches and examines how community capital, including social networks, volunteer capacity, informal caregiving arrangements, and local governance mechanisms, can be mobilised to enhance ageing readiness in Sabah and comparable regions in Malaysia. Using a desk-based thematic synthesis of empirical studies, policy analyses, and strategic documents from ASEAN and selected Greater China contexts, the study identifies non-capital-intensive practices that support ageing in place through community-embedded systems of care. The findings highlight the importance of age-friendly community environments, social participation, and locally coordinated support arrangements in sustaining active ageing outcomes. Comparative experiences from Taiwan and mainland China further demonstrate both the sustainability potential and governance risks of community-based care systems, underscoring the need for capable local management and enabling institutional design. The article concludes by outlining practical policy implications for Sabah and Malaysia, emphasising how coordinated community-based care, caregiver support mechanisms, and regionally aligned partnerships can strengthen ageing readiness. By positioning community capital as a central delivery asset, this study offers a context-appropriate pathway for advancing ageing policy in resource-constrained and geographically diverse settings.