KOTA KINABALU: The development agenda based on the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) framework is clearly on the right track and is already yielding positive results, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
He emphasised that after four years of leading the state, the government is confidently advancing its vision, focussing on key sectors such as agriculture, industry, and tourism.
These sectors have significantly boosted the state’s economy, attracting investors to Sabah and creating thousands of job opportunities for locals.
Moreover, the government is also dedicated to enhancing human capital and improving the well-being of its citizens. “With the support of the state cabinet, all plans and policies are being implemented in line with the SMJ framework, which serves as the foundation for Sabah’s progress and development,” he remarked.
Hajiji said this in his speech at the award ceremony for state honours and medals in celebration of the 71st official birthday of the Sabah head of state at Istana Seri Kinabalu, here on Saturday.
According to statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, Sabah contributed 5.5 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023. The state attracted investments totalling RM11.34 billion, ranking seventh in Malaysia, with 13.3 percent coming from the manufacturing sector last year.
Additionally, tourist arrivals in Sabah have surged, with 1.7 million visitors recorded from January to July 2024, including over 1.05 million domestic tourists and 706,383 international visitors.
“This growth clearly indicates that the tourism sector in Sabah is on a strong upward trajectory for this year and beyond, aiming to reach a target of 3 million visitors,” he said.
