Sabah imbangi pembangunan ekonomi, perlindungan alam sekitar

Sabah's Chief Minister Hajiji Noor emphasized during his speech at the 2026 International City of Kinabalu Dialogue (KKIMD) in the Sabah Convention Centre that the coastal city must balance economic growth with environmental protection and enhance resilience against climate change to ensure long-term development. He stated that coastal cities, which are centers for trade, tourism, and economic activities, face risks such as rising sea levels, extreme weather, and pollution.

"Through smart planning and close cooperation, we can create safer, cleaner, and more resilient cities for future generations," he said at a press briefing.

The KKIMD 2026 event brought together participants from eight countries and 15 cities, including representatives from Indonesia, South Korea, and the United States. Hajiji stressed that climate change must be integrated into urban management, including systems for planting trees, sanitation, flood control, and the preservation of mangrove and river forests.

However, he noted that these efforts require better access to climate financing, public-private cooperation, and knowledge sharing among cities to implement green infrastructure projects and improve resilience to climate change.

Sabah's waters support the income of the people, food security, and various marine industries, making their protection crucial for long-term economic sustainability and a part of the three pillars of marine biodiversity, which have the world's richest biological diversity. "The state government's commitment to balancing environmental preservation with economic development is evident in the Tun Mustapha Park, which focuses on marine ecosystem protection while supporting local community needs," he added.

Hajiji highlighted the Green Economy agenda in line with Sabah's Vision 2020 (SMJ) 2.0 for the period of 2026 to 2030, which emphasizes revenue diversification and improving the well-being of the people, while promoting the implementation of Sabah's Biotechnology Action Plan 2024-2034, which connects biodiversity preservation with socio-economic development.

The Chief Minister also praised the efforts of the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) for their Smart City agenda, which aims to improve emergency alert systems, land-use planning, and public service delivery. "However, digital transformation must remain people-centered, focused, and accountable," he concluded.