Sabah's GDP growth promising

The Star

30-04-2025

Hajiji Haji Noor Facebook picture.
KOTA KINABALU: With Sabah's gross domestic product (GDP) showing an increase in growth in 2024, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called for a paradigm shift to ensure that all development plans are implemented successfully.
Hajiji said the GDP growth of RM83.2bil last year against the RM82.1bil recorded in 2023 reflected a momentum of conti­nuous improvement and positive development in Sabah.
He said it was in line with the national GDP, which is expected to increase by 2.5% through the Madani Economy Framework that saw the restructuring of Malaysia's economy under the national Budget 2025.
'We must change our attitude to not just focus on the negatives without evaluating or giving ­credit to the successes or contributions made to the state,' Hajiji said when chairing the State Development Action Council meeting at Menara Kinabalu here yesterday.
'If we continue to contribute our energy positively through close cooperation from various quarters in the state, it is not impossible to successfully implement our Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya ( Hala Tuju SMJ) aspirations.'
He also urged the relevant agencies to ensure all initiatives and programmes under the 12th Malaysia Plan and the development blueprint are implemented to spur economic growth and uplift the people's livelihood.
Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the Chief Minister revealed the state government has formulated a State Strategic Development Hala Tuju as a proactive step to spur Sabah's economy and development from 2026 to 2030.
'It is also an early framework that takes into consideration the policy, blueprint and current development plan. Various initiatives will be initiated encompassing the Blue Economy initiative and each state development agenda under the 13MP,' he said.
Despite the various successes through the Hala Tuju SMJ initiatives and positive figures from all the released data to date, Hajiji said the state government must not become complacent.
'We must continue to work hard and be more proactive. All department and district-level heads must go down to the ground more frequently to monitor ­ongoing projects.
'This is important to ensure that all programmes are done well and thoroughly,' he said, adding that this year, 1,265 projects must be completed in Sabah.
'All the implementing agencies must constantly monitor these projects' progress and ensure they are completed according to schedule,' he said.
According to him, Sabah is among the highest recipients of the national Budget, with RM6.7bil allocated by the Federal Government this year.
'This proves that the voices of the people and leaders of Sabah are heard at the federal level. It also demonstrates that we are very serious and will strive to boost the state's development.'