Royal visit boosts Sabah's entrepreneurial, conservation efforts
KOTA KINABALU (June 19): Her Royal Highness Paduka Puteri Tunku Mariamz Al-Marhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj paid a fruitful visit to the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) headquarters here on Thursday.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong's younger sister was briefed on Sedco's diverse business ecosystem and its role and contributions towards Sabah's socio economic progress including its involvement in mining, construction, real estate, hospitality, tourism and entrepreneurship.
The engagement was filled with productive dialogue, strategic insights, and shared aspirations to further enhance Sabah's socio-economic growth, especially amongst the Bumiputera community.
Tunku Mariamz also expressed her sincere congratulations to Datuk Ar James Wong Kein Peng on his appointment as the new Group General Manager of Sedco.
Also present at the event were Sedco Group top management and chief executive officers, namely Rahim Mohd Zain, General Manager of Sedcovest Holdings Sdn Bhd; Mat Saidi Minting, General Manager of Perkasa Realty Sdn Bhd; Shiu Vay Leung, General Manager of Sedco Precast Sdn Bhd; and Shamsul Bahri Johari, General Manager of Sedco Mining Sdn Bhd.
Tunku Mariamz provided encouraging feedback on Sedco's proposed two-phase Entrepreneurship Program.
She stressed the need for impactful, time-efficient training and inclusive mentorship that truly supports aspiring Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
'We must not simply invite investors to invest; we must also ensure that actual investment reaches the people,' she said during her visit to Wisma Sedco.
Her Royal Highness shared success stories from online platforms and highlighted opportunities for Sabah entrepreneurs in digital commerce and global trade.
Sedco's upcoming holistic program is designed to build and scale local entrepreneurship businesses and is expected to be launched next month.
Deeply passionate about conservation, Tunku Mariamz cautioned against unsustainable development, pointing to plastic pollution, wildlife endangerment, and cleanliness in tourism hotspots.
She also shared her own experiences climbing Mount Kinabalu and exploring Sabah's natural wonders, advocating for increased promotion of Sabah's rich ethnic and ecological heritage through film and digital storytelling.
Upon closing the historic visit, Her Royal Highness shared her heartfelt advice: 'Sabah Maju Jaya is not just a slogan — unity and sincerity must come first. Put political differences and personal interests aside, and focus on doing what's best for the betterment of the state.'
She also reminded everyone that true success is not measured by popularity, but by service for the people and stewardship of one's position and responsibilities.
Tunku Mariamz's visit was a profound inspiration for the entire Sedco Group management and staff.
Her insights will serve as a guiding principle for Sedco as the corporation continues its mission to drive inclusive, sustainable economic development across Sabah.
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