logo
Energy sector continues to be critical for Sabah's growth, says CM

Energy sector continues to be critical for Sabah's growth, says CM

The Star24-04-2025

KOTA KINABALU: The energy sector has always, and will continue to, play a critical role in Sabah's future development, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said Sabah is endowed with an abundance of renewable energy sources that has the potential to offer strong prospects of contributing significantly to both the state and nation's transformation into a high value-added economy.
Taking this into consideration, he said the state government has, among others, launched the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 (Sabah Energy RAMP 2040), which was aimed at charting the way forward and outlining key priorities for the state energy sector.
'With this in place, Sabah should be able to fully develop its green energy sector with the potential of providing up to 75% of the nation's green energy supply,' said Hajiji when officiating the Sabah Renewable Energy Conference 2025 (SAREC 2025) here on Thursday (April 24).
Hajiji's speech was delivered by state Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
'The energy sector has been a critical engine of growth for Sabah's economy over the past decades, contributing significantly to the state's economy,' Hajiji said.
'It is my aspiration to see Sabah's energy sector continuing to grow whilst contributing to positive social outcomes to uplift the quality of life of the people,' he said.
He said the state has been aggressively pushing its agenda in encouraging renewable energy and the development of clean energy by implementing programmes that would help promote economic activities and accelerate economic growth to ultimately shape and strengthen Sabah's renewable energy and green industry sector.
Sabah will continue to develop the necessary infrastructure related to the energy sector, said Hajiji, adding that the state has been steadfast in its pursuit of taking control and managing the state's energy resources to empower Sabah.
It is also aimed at developing and continuously growing the energy sector more effectively and efficiently,' he said.
He said the state government looked forward to the continued cooperation and support of all stakeholders in driving Sabah towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Earlier, Hajiji said the state government had identified a new economic sector - the Blue Economy - that involves sustainable exploration of Sabah's incredible marine and coastal resources.
The State Legislative Assembly approved the new Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Enactment 2024 in April last year, paving the way for the development of OTEC as a new source of renewable energy and as one of the initiatives under the Blue Economy.
Speaking about the event, he commended Qhazanah Sabah Berhad and the Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd for bringing SAREC 2025 to fruition.
'The state government is ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to unite efforts, exchange ideas, and explore solutions,' he said.
In a press conference, Masidi said that OTEC was a very new avenue to venture into, where only a limited number of countries including Japan have started exploring this industry.
'It will take time for it to see some form of fruition because it's a new source of energy and we have a long way to go but we need to start somewhere, somehow,' he said.
'You talk about renewable energy but we can't just fold our hands and wait, we have to start somewhere somehow,' he stressed.
Also present during the one-day conference were Datuk Ahmad Rizal Dahlia, the chief executive officer of Qhazanah Sabah Bhd, and Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd group chief executive officer Arshad Mohamed Ismail.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Asean Muslim Youth leadership training in Kota Kinabalu
Asean Muslim Youth leadership training in Kota Kinabalu

Daily Express

time35 minutes ago

  • Daily Express

Asean Muslim Youth leadership training in Kota Kinabalu

Published on: Thursday, June 12, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 12, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji (third left) presenting a memento to Mohamad Marzuki while Sapawi (second left) and others look on. Kota Kinabalu: The nine-day Asean Muslim Youth Leadership Training programme jointly organised by the Regional Islamic Da'wah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific (Riseap), the United Sabah Islamic Association (Usia) and Council of Sabah Islamic NGOs, will be held here from August 16. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was briefed on this by Riseap Honorary Secretary General Dato Mohamad Marzuki Mohamad Omar during a courtesy call at Menara Kinabalu here Tuesday. Advertisement Mohamad Marzuki informed the Chief Minister that among the objectives of the programme were to cultivate the internal moral compass necessary for Islamic leadership, provide tools and techniques for effective communication, conflict resolution and decision-making, as well as promote inclusivity and respect among youths from different Asean nations. Apart from that, the programme is also designed to encourage proactive engagement in community development and dakwah initiatives and to strengthen bonds among youths to build a resilient, peaceful and visionary Asean community. Mohamad Marzuki was accompanied by Usia President Datuk Sapawi Ahmad. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

GRS keeping options open
GRS keeping options open

The Star

time2 hours ago

  • The Star

GRS keeping options open

KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has not ruled out the possibility of political alliances in the coming state election – if there is a leadership change within Sabah Umno. However, GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun gave a noncommittal response when asked about the prospect, saying: 'Politics is a game that makes the impossible possible.' While the remark stopped short of confirming anything, he stressed that GRS is weighing a variety of scenarios, including possible friendly contests with other parties, depending on how the political landscape evolves. A final decision on whether to contest solo or collaborate is expected to be made at the GRS supreme council meeting, scheduled either at the end of this month or early July. Masidi, who is also state-owned oil and gas company SMJ Energy Sdn Bhd (SMJE) chairman, said no firm decision has been reached yet, but Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has already met with presidents of the Sabah-based coalition's component parties and held informal discussions with Pakatan Harapan leaders. 'The (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah) president (Hajiji) has gathered feedback from party members and friendly parties. Once the council meets, we should be able to decide whether GRS will go solo or form a coalition,' Masidi said at SMJE's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, in collaboration with MyKasih Foundation at SMK Kanibongan in Pitas on Tuesday. He stressed Hajiji's stand that the state election should be contested under a united GRS banner, in line with its emphasis on maintaining political stability. 'Political stability is crucial. One of the reasons Sarawak is ahead in many aspects is because of its consistent political stability, which has allowed the state to focus on development. That is what we want for Sabah too. 'You cannot avoid politics, but politics alone cannot bring benefits unless it is accompanied by economic and developmental progress. Over the past few years, we have experienced relative political stability. 'That, along with less infighting, should now translate into achievements that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago,' he added. Masidi also acknowledged that GRS leaders are more inclined to work with Pakatan than Barisan Nasional (BN), citing long-standing tensions with Sabah Umno. 'Sabah Umno's leadership has made it clear they are not keen to work with GRS, and unfortunately, the feeling is mutual. That pretty much sums up the rather uneasy truce, if there is any political truce among all the political parties. 'Many of our leaders are comfortable working with Pakatan and maintaining the allocation and division of seats, but find it rather difficult to work with Barisan for reasons that have been mentioned many times. 'You can have many scenarios, one of them is maybe strike an agreement with Pakatan, and perhaps have a friendly match between GRS and Barisan.'

‘Solo or coalition' decision July
‘Solo or coalition' decision July

Daily Express

timea day ago

  • Daily Express

‘Solo or coalition' decision July

Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 By: Mohd Nazllie Zainul Text Size: Masidi at the launching SMJ Energy's Education CSR Programme at SMK Kanibongan in Pitas, yesterday. Kota Kinabalu: The question of whether the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will contest solo in the imminent 17th State Election (PRN17) or maintain its partnership with Pakatan Harapan (PH) is expected to be answered by early July at the latest, said GRS Sec-Gen Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. He said the decision would likely be finalised during the GRS Supreme Council meeting, which is expected to convene either later this month or early next month. Advertisement Masidi also confirmed that although GRS has yet to make an official decision on its election strategy, GRS Chairman cum Sabah's Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor has met with leaders of the coalition's component parties and held informal talks with PH leaders. 'We haven't made a final decision yet because the Supreme Council has not met. However, I believe the President has already met with all the component party presidents. 'I'm confident he has also held informal discussions with PH leaders. One thing is certain—if not this month, then by early next month we will know,' he told the media in Pitas on Tuesday. The GRS Supreme Council is composed of the presidents of the coalition's eight component parties: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), GRS, PBS, Star Sabah, SAPP, Usno, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS). 'He (Hajiji) has indicated that GRS is inclined to continue the PH-GRS cooperation, which has formed the foundation of the unity government in both Sabah and Putrajaya. 'If I'm not mistaken, the Chief Minister has repeatedly emphasised his desire for the PH-GRS cooperation to continue in the coming election. 'The main reason is to ensure political stability,' he said. It was reported that Sabah Pakatan may agree to a seat-sharing formula with GRS and Sabah Barisan helmed by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin. However, GRS and Sabah Barisan are expected to cross swords as there is no love lost between Hajiji and Bung, following a failed attempt by the latter to unseat the GRS government last January. Bung had pulled Sabah Barisan out of the GRS coalition in 2023 after a fallout with Hajiji. Bung is said to be courting other parties like Parti Warisan led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) led by Priscella Peter, the daughter of its jailed president Datuk Peter Anthony. But Warisan and KDM do not seem keen on any tie-up, with both publicly stating their intention to go it solo. GRS component parties like Sabah STAR, SAPP and Usno prefer GRS to go solo, although Hajiji was inclined to work with Sabah Pakatan. Warisan has decided to opt out of any pact in Sabah although it is a partner of the federal unity government. Some predict that KDM could seal a pact with either Barisan or Warisan if they get the number and choices of seats, with the party eyeing at least 18 Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus seats. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store