Sabah, S’wak must receive fairer, more equitable share of devt funds from Budget 2027 onwards, says STARSabah chief

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor emphasized during the opening of the 18th Digital@Sabah Seminar and Digital Tamu 2026 that GovTech should prioritize citizens' experience and proactive service delivery. He stressed that technology should be utilized to bring government services directly to people, making them seamless and user-friendly, rather than expecting people to seek out services or navigate complex bureaucracy.

The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of digital transformation in enhancing the ease of doing business in Sabah, attracting investments, and advancing the state's economy. However, he stressed that technology is merely a tool and that a change in attitude and mindset among civil servants is crucial for its success. The Chief Minister also pointed out that GovTech would provide efficiency, integrity, and empathy – the 'main engine' to give life to the technology for the benefit of Sabahans.

He noted that modernizing the public sector through GovTech would enable the breaking down of siloed working systems among state and federal government agencies. Integrating data and systems among agencies at federal and state levels is vital for creating fast, simple, and transparent services, especially in addressing socio-economic gaps and ensuring benefits reach rural and interior areas.

The Chief Minister praised the Digital Tamu programme as reflecting the commitment of the state and federal governments in supporting and catalyzing the local digital economy ecosystem, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sabah. He hoped local entrepreneurs would utilize this platform to ensure the sustainability of their businesses in the digital era.