Sabah sets aside nearly RM1b to unlock state agriculture, industry and tourism potential

Keningau, Aug 17 — The government of Sabah has set aside nearly RM1 billion to unlock the potential of agriculture, industry, and tourism sectors, which are crucial drivers of Sabah's economic growth this year. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor urged district officers to identify the economic potential in their respective areas, noting that districts have strengths in agriculture, tourism, marine resources, and industry.

The chief focus is to translate this potential into investment opportunities, jobs, and increased income for the people, by harnessing the Blue Economy, particularly in rural areas. Hajiji emphasized the importance of prudent utilization of marine resources, biodiversity, and coastal areas to create new economic opportunities and enhance community income.

For this year, the state government has allocated a development budget of RM12.02 billion for 1,173 programmes and projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the highest in Sabah's budget history. The allocation includes 241 extension projects and 932 new projects, but Hajiji stressed the responsibility to ensure effective implementation, as larger allocations demand greater accountability.

He called for district and sub-district officers to pay close attention to project implementation, monitor progress continuously, and address issues promptly to avoid delays. Hajiji advised a shift in perspective from simply counting approved projects to evaluating development success more comprehensively.