Sabah leaders mark state day with pledges on economy and anti-bullying law

SABAH Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor last night presented his government’s flagship development plan, saying it had helped the state recover from its worst economic crisis and delivered results despite political criticism.

Hajiji said the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) plan, launched in 2020, had strengthened growth, boosted revenue and diversified the economy beyond reliance on natural resources.

“Even in the face of mockery and accusations, this government has remained firm in carrying out the trust given by the people. SMJ is not just a slogan. It is proof of our resilience and determination,” he said during the Sabah Day celebrations held in Kota Kinabalu.

He said more than RM1.3 billion ringgit was spent between 2021 and 2024 on education and youth programmes, while investments in tourism, plantations, forestry and petroleum had attracted fresh capital and lifted state revenues.

Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, in a separate address at the same event, called for new legislation to tackle bullying following the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir in July.

The proposed “Zara Law” would impose heavier penalties on bullies, mandate prevention programmes in schools and strengthen protections for victims and witnesses.

“The suffering of Zara is a tragedy that touches the soul of every Sabahan. It is a symbol of a system’s failure that demands urgent repair,” the minister said.

The ceremony was officiated by Head of State Tun Musa Aman and attended by senior government leaders.

Several thousand people gathered for the Sabah Day programme at Padang Merdeka.

At the same time, only a short distance away in Kota Kinabalu, far larger crowds poured into the streets for the “Justice for Zara Rally 2.0”.

The demonstration, demanding accountability for the teenager’s death, drew numbers that organisers and observers said eclipsed the official celebration.

The simultaneous gatherings created heavy congestion throughout the city centre. - September 1, 2025