Sabah tourism industry in created over 380,000 jobs
He said the industry accounted for about 15 per cent of the state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and contributing RM13.1 billion to the state's economy.
"We have witnessed firsthand how tourism uplifts communities and we take pride in our progress in community-based tourism here in Sabah," he said at the launching of the Asean Travel Exchange (ATEX 2025) at a hotel here.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew delivered his speech.
He said Sabah is home to many community-based tourism operators, and these initiatives were spearheaded by individuals and families from local villages, particularly rural communities, who create experiences that were distinctly Sabahan.
"As we speak, community-based tourism continues to expand in Sabah due to its immense potential to grow the economy, especially in the rural areas of Sabah.
"In 2024, the total state revenue contribution from this sector amounted to RM7 million from 18 active districts.
"More community-based initiatives in the rural districts are being introduced to benefit the rural communities," he said.
Hajiji added that the state government is investing in infrastructure with ongoing upgrades to the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, improved road conditions giving access to rural tourism areas and enhanced digital platforms designed to promote and manage visitor experiences effectively.
"We are laying the foundation for a resilient and future-ready tourism economy.
"Sabah's strategy includes embracing green economy principles, advocating for digital transformation, and enhancing our profile as a premier venue and host for international tourism events," he said.
Meanwhile, he said that ATEX 2025 serves as a reminder of just how powerful the combination of tourism, travel, hospitality, and aviation can be.
Nation Mar 17, 2025 @ 5:51am
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Sabah's tourism sector surges ahead
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Sabah sees tourism surge, earns RM2.13 billion from Jan to March this year
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Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Reviewing laws to ensure Sabah is not left behind
Published on: Sunday, August 10, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 10, 2025 By: Datuk John Lo Text Size: Members of the newly-set up Council with Hajiji (centre). WHY Hajiji formed Sabah Law Reform Council? CM Datuk Seri Hajiji is the first CM to initiate the formation of Sabah Law Reform Council. A comprehensive law reform for Sabah is long overdue. All well managed countries undertake law reforms and updates to stay relevant, effective, just and economically competitive especially in the rapidly changing environment of AI/high tech and turbulent global economy. The focus of this article will be on economic factors relevant to Sabah. Advertisement Restructuring and turning around Sabah's 40 years of stunted economic growth, by itself, has been a super complex and difficult task for Hajiji since Oct 2020. No one can or will be able to turn around the economy within a short time. Those who claim they can, are not telling the truth. The challenge to restructure Sabah's economy is made much more difficult by Sabah's many outdated and inappropriate laws. It is fortunate for Sabah that Hajiji has the foresight to form the Sabah Law Reform Council to look into, inter-alia: [1] Sabah has many laws that are antiquated and obsolete, some from far back to the British Chartered Company and the British Colonial Government. Many of these laws have become hindrance to Sabah's economic development. Advertisement [2] Identifying these out-dated laws will be an erroneous task. [3] Sabah has very few laws for Sabah to facilitate progress in the 21st century. [4] Sabah needs some new laws urgently. Example 1: Hajiji's most important economic initiative for Sabah is the Blue Economy. It will require considerable legal brains to produce new laws/regulations to implement it. Example 2: Sabah does not have a holistic Agriculture Enactment to facilitate the development of agriculture. Example 3: Sabah needs new laws to establish new sources of revenues. [5] Sabah must use the best legal brains on matters pertaining to Sabah's constitutional rights. [i] The complex Sabah/Federal relationship, especially Sabah rights under MA63 and their never-ending procrastinations in implementations [40% revenue]. [ii] Sabah's rights as 1/3 partner in Malaysia, on matters pertaining to the protection of Sabah interests in federal policy decisions and their implementations. [iii] Review and monitor laws already passed or to be passed by Parliament that affect Sabah's interest like TSA 2012 [Territorial Sea Act 2012]. [vi] Ensure that Sabah's interest is not left out in all Federal Laws, present and future. 2. The Sabah Law Reform Council is non-political. Its member are highly respected Lawyers. Most wise. Hajiji's first pre-requisite was that The Sabah Law Reform Council should be non-political and free from political interference. Reforming Sabah's laws is hard work by professionals, not a political game for politicians. The formation of the Sabah Law Reform Council is the collaborative efforts of Tan Sri David Wong and SEAC [Sabah Economic Advisory Council] under the guidance/supervision of AG Datuk Brenndon Soh. It is highly significant and profound that Hajiji has appointed Tan Sri David Wong as the founding chairman of the Sabah Law Reform Council. He is eminently qualified. He has years of experience in private practice, then joined the bench and elevated to be Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak from July 2018 to February 2020. His career in private practice and the bench will give valuable leadership and perspective for the Sabah Law Reform Council. The council members are [1] Datuk Daniel Tan, [2] Datuk John Sikayun, [3] Dr. David Fung, [4] Datuk Roger Chin and [5] Shakinur Ain Karama. All five are highly respected senior Sabahan lawyers, non-political and Sabahans through and through. Tan Sri David is also the founding Chairman of BICAM [Borneo International Centre for Arbitrations and Mediations] which will play a key role in the development of KK as a regional commercial hub. The Sabah Law Reform Council and AG Brenndon will form a formidable team of legal experts. It has already got on to a flying start. They have already completed an important amendment of the Land Ordinance with the inclusion of 'indefeasibility of title' under the Torrent system. The Dun has passed this amendment in its sitting in April 2025. 3. Hajiji is First CM to Implement 'Open Government' by Seeking Advisories from Professionals, Young Sabahans and Private Sectors Stakeholders. Never done before by any CM. Hajiji formed SEAC [Sabah Economic Advisory Council, SYBIL [Sabah Young Business and Industry Leaders] and SPC [Sabah Professional Council]. SYBIL has been contributing policy inputs and encouragement/assistance to young Sabahan returnees from overseas. Sabah has 5000+ Sabahan professionals. For 'Sabah for Sabahans' policy, Masidi has instructed all GLCs to engage Sabah-based accountants for their financial service requirements. JTU will only accept survey submissions from Sabah based surveyors. Significantly, Hajiji has asked DSP Lim Haw Kuang for advice on oil and gas which has since become a major industry. Lim Haw Kuang is also advisor to SMJ Energy which is very profitable and has become a RM5 billion GLC within 3 years. 4. The Formation of The Sabah Law Reform Council Will Enhance Investors' Confidence in Sabah. One of the most crucial aspects that investors look for are functioning legal system and transparent governance. The fact that Hajiji has initiated the formation of this council is an important positive message for investors. With the appointment of Tan Sri David as the Chairman and his highly respected council members by Hajiji can only reinforce investors' confidence further. 5. Hajiji's Formation of Sabah Law Reform Council is a Continuation of His Policy of 'Open Government'. Formation of the Sabah Law Reform Council is a major milestone in Hajiji's open government policy. In our 'Westminster' style of parliamentary system, the rule of law is paramount. Updating and reforming our laws should therefore be of utmost priority. The work by Sabah Law Reform Council will create enormous beneficial impacts for future generations of Sabahans. 6. Why is Hajiji's 'Open Government' important? Hajiji's initiative to form SEAC, SYBIL, SPC and now Sabah Law Reformation Council is a very important aspect of 'open government'. Here are some reasons: [1] Previous governments have practised 'closed government' or 'top-down government. No or little avenue for non-politicians, professionals and young Sabahans to contribute to decision making. 'Closed government' belongs to the old era, grossly outdated. 'Closed door' produce 'in-breeding'. Very unhealthy. [2] Hajiji's 'open government' gives opportunities for outstanding Sabahan professionals [like Lim Haw Kuang in oil and gas and SDB, David Wong, members of SLRC in law reform, James Wong in nurturing young business leaders] to contribute ideas and management expertise for the betterment of Sabah. [3] Hajiji's 'open government' will attract many more highly qualify, perfectly capable Sabahans within Sabah, in W Malaysia, Singapore and overseas to volunteer their time and ideas. [4] Hajiji's 'open government' will promote 'inclusivity' in policy decisions and their implementations. [5] Hajiji's 'open government' will improve quality of policy outputs. [6] Hajiji's 'open government' has improved governance and management of GLCs/ agencies like SMJ Energy, ECoS, SDB and Sabah Credit Corporation. [7] Hajiji's 'open government' will promote transparency, best practices in governance and prevent financial and resource leakages. [8] Hajiji's 'open government' is the best and quickest way to pass on the benefits of 'Sabah for Sabahans' policy to Sabahans. 7. Hajiji's Formation of The Sabah Law Reform Council is an act of statesmanship in furtherance of 'Sabah for Sabahans' policy objectives for the benefits of Sabahans. The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Pivoting to Russia?
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When I was a Member of the Dewan Rakyat, I visited Moscow several times and have come to appreciate Russia's distinct worldview and the strategic ways it seeks to shape the global order. My trip in May was my first as the deputy president of the Senate at the Dewan Negara, and it offered a valuable opportunity to explore deeper institutional ties with Russia's parliamentary leaders. With Malaysia chairing the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly this year and Russia present as an observer, the timing was significant. In Malaysia, the mention of Russia often evokes thoughts of global controversies, particularly its actions in Ukraine. This has cast Russian President Vladimir Putin as a distant, hardline figure viewed through the lens of geopolitical tensions and critical media scrutiny. However, something unexpected challenged this perception. 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Trade and business were central to my dialogue with Russia's Economic Development Ministry. Aeroflot's plan to reinstate direct flights to Malaysia will enhance connectivity, strengthen economic ties, and boost our appeal as a premier destination for Russian tourists, ahead of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. Collaboration in natural disaster management, where Russia possesses substantial expertise, also emerged as a key partnership area. My meeting with Alexander Kurenkov – their Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters Minister – underscored our commitment to disaster management cooperation as a model of effective bilateral engagement. This initiative has progressed rapidly, thanks to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's leadership of our Central Disaster Management Committee and proactive efforts during Kurenkov's June visit to Malaysia. Discussions with Russia's Energy Ministry explored collaboration as Malaysia refines its National Energy Transition Roadmap. Moscow's expertise in nuclear technology, through its state-owned corporation Rosatom, offers solutions for sustainable energy by advancing the peaceful use of nuclear power for electricity generation and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This collaboration would modernise Malaysia's power grid while supporting Asean-wide initiatives, like the Asean Power Grid, for sustainable regional energy collaboration. Malaysia's defence relationship with Russia, established by the landmark MiG-29 purchase in 1994, remains a cornerstone of our relationship. Today, the focus has shifted to artificial intelligence (AI), critical to modern defence. His Majesty's visit to Moscow's Tochka Kipeniya Technology and Innovation Centre, which showcases advanced AI systems, highlights their rapid advancements in this field, offering Malaysia opportunities to enhance its defence capabilities. Russia's cutting-edge innovation presents Malaysia with a timely opportunity to explore drone technology and AI-driven security solutions. Malaysia could cautiously pursue calculated collaboration in autonomous warfare drone technology by leveraging Russia's expertise in autonomous systems. Through joint research and technology exchange, such efforts would strengthen national security and underscore our commitment to innovation. However, given concerns over autonomous weapons and geopolitical sensitivities, such engagements must align with Malaysia's strategic interests and international norms. While my meetings were marked by optimism, a key challenge persists in navigating the network of international sanctions, which hinders these opportunities. Amid increased Western scrutiny and the threat of secondary sanctions, Malaysian industries are cautious and seek to minimise exposure at the expense of trade growth. However, practical solutions exist, such as alternative payment mechanisms for lawful economic engagement. My talks with senior members from the Kremlin administration affirmed that our concerns are resolvable. Business magnates often ask, 'What's the deal?' With Russia, the answer is clear. As long as cooperation remains legitimate, respects international regulations, and aligns with Malaysia's foreign policy, we can make a deal. At the Valdai Discussion Club, I was asked a pointed question on the US-China power dynamics and Malaysia's stance if faced with choosing sides. My response was direct: 'Choose your neighbour.' The room chuckled, knowing I implied Russia, whose eastern region places it firmly within Asia. Yet Russia is more than a geographical neighbour. It is a partner in shared priorities such as economic growth and stability. In a period of intensifying great power rivalry, our BRICS alignment reflects a pragmatic choice for regional proximity. In choosing and trusting our 'neighbour', we are not turning our backs on our friends. Like a good neighbour who respects your right to design your own home, our friends should understand Malaysia's choice for balance, economic resilience and independent future. Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed is the Dewan Negara deputy president and former Pulai member of Parliament. The views expressed here are entirely the writer's own.
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Keeping the wheels turning for used tyres
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