Roadmap to drive Sabah’s economy and development

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 20): The State Government has outlined a Strategic Development Roadmap under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) as a proactive step to drive the state’s economy and development, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.

The 13MP which will run from 2026 to 2030, has been formulated by taking into account current policies, development plans, and blueprints, as well as key initiatives being explored, including the Blue Economy initiative, he said.

The Chief Minister explained that the state’s development agenda under the 13MP is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth in line with national and global commitments.

To strengthen the Blue Economy initiative, he disclosed that the State Cabinet, in its meeting last week, approved the establishment of the Blue Economy Industrial Park (BEIP) in Kudat.

“This demonstrates the State Government’s strong commitment to developing the Blue Economy sector as a new economic resource that can benefit the people, particularly in creating job opportunities for local communities.

“The BEIP is expected to transform the northern region of Sabah, especially Kudat town, into a new industrial township capable of attracting many investors from both domestic and international markets. It will tap into the vast potential of the Blue Economy, including fisheries, marine tourism, pharmaceuticals, mariculture, and renewable energy,” he said.

He made these remarks during the 2025 New Year’s Address by the Chief Minister to Civil Servants in Sabah at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Thursday.

Hajiji said that state development will be implemented holistically, covering economic, social and environmental aspects under the 13MP.

The primary focus, he pointed out, will be on strengthening economic resilience through three key sectors namely industrialization, agriculture, and tourism.

This is in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Roadmap, he said, adding that efforts will also be made to enhance infrastructure and utilities to support these economic sectors.

According to Hajiji, inclusive development, encompassing balanced regional and socio-economic growth, will be implemented to ensure overall well-being and fairness for all levels of society.

Additionally, efforts to enhance the sustainability of natural resources and environmental conservation will also be emphasized to support balanced and sustainable development.

With a strategic development direction and the effective and systematic implementation of development programs, Sabah’s economic growth is expected to expand at an average rate of 3.0 to 4.5 percent during the implementation period of the 13MP, he said.

“This strategy and development plan can certainly be achieved if we work hard as a team, supported by a stable political environment and a spirit of unity and racial harmony. InsyaAllah, we will be able to accomplish it,” he stressed.

Hajiji disclosed that overall, the performance of ministries, departments, and government agencies has been satisfactory.

However, he noted that there is still room for improvement, and he believes that if civil servants give their full attention and deliver their best to their respective organizations from the top leadership to the lowest-ranking positions, these organizations will continue to progress and excel.

“Let’s start this positive attitude in conjunction with the new year, to give our best for our organizations and the Government,” he said.

Touching on the initiatives to strengthen the state public dervice, Hajiji disclosed that more than 4,000 civil servants have undergone training both locally and abroad to enhance their competence, creativity and competitiveness in meeting the increasingly complex and dynamic work demands of today.

By combining local and global training, the quality composition of civil servants will become more dynamic, adaptive, and visionary in carrying out their responsibilities, he added.

In 2024, a total of 1,960 civil servants from various service schemes received promotions, he said, adding that career advancements involving personnel from various service schemes within the state civil service ensure that both strategic and non-strategic positions are filled by highly qualified and skilled individuals, thereby improving the public service delivery system.