SMJ and CAFEO 42 propel Sabah's sustainable future

Borneo Post

30-04-2025

(April 30) As Sabah continues its transformation toward a more competitive, sustainable and inclusive economy, the role of engineering in shaping this future is undeniable.
From infrastructure development to digitalization, renewable energy to environmental conservation, engineering lies at the core of every major achievement. This progress is built on a people-centric strategic framework — the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan — under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Noor.
In 2024, Sabah proudly hosted the 42nd Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (CAFEO 42) in the beautiful capital city of Kota Kinabalu. This prestigious event not only marks a milestone in technical and professional achievements but also stands as a testament to the Chief Minister's commitment to elevating Sabah's stature on the international stage and fostering regional collaboration through engineering.
Allow us to highlight the profound connection between engineering progress and state leadership. This is also a sincere tribute and expression of gratitude to the Chief Minister for his unwavering support, which ensured the resounding success of CAFEO 42 and continues to drive the state's advancement through the comprehensive SMJ policies.
Engineering as a Driver of Economic Development
Engineering is not merely a profession — it is a catalyst for transformation. In Sabah, with its complex geography, scattered communities, and abundant natural resources, engineering provides practical solutions to:
Build and maintain resilient infrastructure,
Connect rural areas,
Manage water supply and waste sustainably,
Generate renewable energy,
Protect ecosystems,
And enhance disaster resilience.
Under the SMJ framework, the role of engineers is further strengthened through government policies emphasizing:
Efficient project implementation, infrastructure expansion in underdeveloped areas, digitalization, technical and vocational education and public-private sector collaboration.
This approach is not only timely but critically necessary in addressing global economic challenges and increasingly evident climate change impacts.
SMJ Vision: A Realistic Strategic Framework
The Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan, introduced and spearheaded by Hajiji, is the most comprehensive development plan in Sabah's modern history. Anchored by three core pillars — Agriculture and Food Industry, Industrialization and Manufacturing, and Tourism — the SMJ also encompasses cross-sectoral themes such as:
Infrastructure modernization,
Green technology and sustainability, Empowering grassroots economies, Human capital development,
Transparent and integrity-driven governance.
For the engineering community, SMJ offers clear direction and extensive career and contribution opportunities. Under this plan, numerous projects are actively underway, including:
Upgrading rural roads in remote areas like Pitas and Beluran, providing clean water to isolated villages, renewable energy projects such as solar and micro-hydro, digital infrastructure development to expand high-speed internet access, promotion of green economies and smart industries to attract investments and create quality jobs.
Effective implementation reflects the state administration's capability to translate vision into tangible action.
CAFEO 42: A Historic Achievement for Sabah and ASEAN Engineering
In 2024, the IEM Sabah Branch was selected to host CAFEO 42, a premier conference among ASEAN engineering organizations. The decision to host CAFEO in Kota Kinabalu resulted from the strategic encouragement and strong support of the Chief Minister himself.
CAFEO 42 brought together hundreds of engineers, policymakers, educators and industry leaders across ASEAN. The event's success was evident through:
Technical sessions addressing challenges and solutions in infrastructure, energy, smart technology, and disaster mitigation; exhibitions showcasing local and international engineering innovations; professional networking forums between engineers and Sabah institutions; student engineering competitions to inspire younger generations;
professional recognition for outstanding regional engineers.
The keynote address by the Chief Minister during the opening ceremony left a profound impact on attendees. His emphasis on regional collaboration, sustainable development, and technical education aligns perfectly with current needs.
The IEM Sabah Branch extends its highest appreciation and gratitude to the Chief Minister for his full support, exemplary leadership, and commitment to making CAFEO 42 in Kota Kinabalu a success. This achievement is a source of state pride and a pivotal milestone for a brighter engineering future.
Engineering Education and Local Talent Development
Among the most crucial investments in state development is human capital. SMJ places significant emphasis on technical and engineering education through:
Strengthening TVET institutions and polytechnics,
revamping STEM curricula to align with industry needs,
sponsorships and incentives for technical training,
industry collaboration for student internships.
These steps ensure that Sabah's new generation of engineers possesses relevant skills, builds local capacity, and reduces reliance on external expertise. This is the essence of sustainable empowerment.
Sabah as a Model for Engineering-Driven Sustainable Development
Today, Sabah is emerging as a model state leveraging engineering and technology to become Borneo's green energy hub, develop as a regional engineering excellence centre, establish smart industrial and logistics corridors, bridge urban and rural areas inclusively through engineering.
None of this would be possible without bold and forward-thinking leadership of the Chief Minister's ability to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability and unify all sectors under a shared vision is truly commendable and deserving of high praise.
Leadership, Collaboration, and Appreciation
As members of the engineering community, we are proud to support the SMJ Vision and contribute to Sabah's transformation. We have witnessed firsthand the policy changes, implementations, and community engagements that have delivered real impact.
Specifically, we extend our highest appreciation to Chief Minister,Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Noor, for recognizing engineers' vital role in state development,
Empowering local talent and technical education institutions, commitment to sustainability and green growth, and the monumental success of hosting CAFEO 42 in Kota Kinabalu — an event etched in Sabah's engineering history.
Together under the SMJ framework, with engineering as the core and leadership as the guide, we are confident Sabah will continue advancing — stronger, smarter and more united than ever.