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Daily Express
11 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Esteel's RM31 billion project a vote of confidence in Sabah's future, says Hajiji
Published on: Saturday, May 31, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 31, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Hajiji said Sabah is committed to creating a stable and investor-friendly environment to drive economic growth. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor has hailed the RM31 billion three-phase project by Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd as a major milestone for the state's economic development. He said it would generate jobs, foster innovation and support local businesses. Speaking at the launch of the project's Phase 1 at the Sabah International Convention Centre yesterday, Hajiji thanked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore-based Green Esteel Group for backing Sabah's industrial ambitions. 'This project is not merely a financial commitment. It is a vote of your confidence in our vision and in our capacity to foster growth and development,' he said in his speech. Hajiji added that the steel manufacturing plant, located in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip), is expected to create a wide range of 'ripple effects' in sectors such as green technology and local entrepreneurship. He said job creation must benefit Sabahans first and urged industry players to prioritise the training and upskilling of the local workforce. Advertisement 'I want all industry players to invest in the training and development of our local workforce and to comply with this fundamental requirement as a core principle of our commitment to local development,' he said. Hajiji also credited more than a dozen federal and state agencies for their role in fast-tracking approvals for the Esteel project and assured the group that their 'trust is well-placed'. 'Together, we have the potential to achieve remarkable outcomes, leading the way for growth and development,' he said. Hajiji reaffirmed that Sabah will maintain its investor-friendly stance, noting that the state has implemented policies to attract more investors. 'We are committed to creating a conducive environment that nurtures investments and fosters collaboration,' he said, adding that besides Sogip, the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park has also seen increased tenancy over the past four years. Due to high investor demand, Hajiji said the state government had approved three new industrial parks in Kota Belud, Beaufort and Kudat under its Blue Economy initiative. * 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
The Star
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Pairin urges Sabahans to guard traditions against AI misuse
Tuan Yang DiPertua for Sabah Tun Musa Aman (third left), Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (sixth left) and Huguan Siou Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (left) dancing the sumazau at the closing of the month-long Kaamatan Festival 2025 on Friday (May 31). KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan calls for unity and warns against misusing artificial intelligence (AI) as the month-long Kaamatan Festival 2025 closes. Speaking at the grand finale held at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association's (KDCA) Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang on Friday (May 31), Pairin said that the unchecked use of AI could lead to cultural erosion and even destruction. 'If misused, AI can become a force of destruction. It can distort values, misrepresent our traditions, and lead us away from our true identity as Sabahans and Malaysians,' said Pairin, who is also Huguan Siou (paramount leader of the Kadazandusun community). The KDCA president also acknowledged the presence of Tun Musa Aman, who came for the first time in his capacity as the Tuan Yang DiPertua of Sabah. 'We are one big family, and Kaamatan is a platform that brings us together, not just to honour the harvest, but to reaffirm our identity and aspirations,' he said. Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. Tuan Yang DiPertua for Sabah Tun Musa Aman (middle), Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (left), Huguan Siou Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (second left) and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (second right) singing the Kaamatan song during the official closing of the month-festival on Friday (May 31). Pairin said that Kaamatan is a bridge that connects the people of Sabah, to their ancestors and the world. 'This is where culture meets innovation, and where we must walk carefully 'Let your imagination fly, but let it be rooted in values. We want our traditions to evolve, not disappear,' he said. The celebration ended with a formal declaration by Tun Musa, who marked it with the beating of the gong seven times.
Free Malaysia Today
14 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Esteel's RM31bil project a vote of confidence in Sabah's future, says Hajiji
Chief minister Hajiji Noor said Sabah is committed to creating a stable and investor-friendly environment to drive economic growth. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor has hailed the RM31 billion three-phased project by Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd as a major milestone for the state's economic development. He said it would generate jobs, foster innovation, and support local businesses. Speaking at the launch of the project's Phase 1 at the Sabah International Convention Centre yesterday, Hajiji thanked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore-based Green Esteel Group for backing Sabah's industrial ambitions. 'This project is not merely a financial commitment, but it is a vote of your confidence in our vision and in our capacity to foster growth and development,' he said in his speech. Hajiji added that the steel manufacturing plant, located in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip), is expected to create a wide range of 'ripple effects' in sectors such as green technology and local entrepreneurship. He stressed that job creation must benefit Sabahans first and urged industry players to prioritise the training and upskilling of the local workforce. 'I want all industry players to invest in the training and development of our local workforce and to comply with this fundamental requirement as a core principle of our commitment to local development,' he said. Hajiji also credited more than a dozen federal and state agencies for their role in fast-tracking approvals for the Esteel project and assured the group that their 'trust is well-placed'. 'Together, we have the potential to achieve remarkable outcomes, leading the way for growth and development,' he said. Hajiji reaffirmed that Sabah will maintain its investor-friendly stance, noting that the state has implemented policies to attract more investors. 'We are committed to creating a conducive environment that nurtures investments and fosters collaboration,' he said, adding that besides Sogip, the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park has seen increased tenancy over the past four years. Due to high investor demand, Hajiji said the state government had approved three new industrial parks in Kota Belud, Beaufort, and Kudat under its Blue Economy initiative.
Daily Express
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Respect differences for stronger unity: Hajiji
Published on: Friday, May 30, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 30, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji said Kaamatan is a reflection of harmony and goodwill among the people of Sabah, in line with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani, which emphasises humanitarian values, mutual respect and togetherness. Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor called on the people of the State to always respect differences in order to build a stronger bond of unity. He said unity would be stronger and more solid if the people remained united. 'Therefore, I urge the people to continue standing with the Government as partners in strengthening unity and maintaining political stability for the wellbeing of the people and the smooth development of our beloved State. 'The Kaamatan Festival, celebrated annually in May, not only aims to strengthen ties and unity among people of various races and religions but also to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest,' he said in his message in conjunction with the 2025 Kaamatan Festival celebration themed 'Kaamatan Untuk Semua, Kaamatan For All, Kaamatan Montok Toinsanan.' Hajiji said Kaamatan is a reflection of harmony and goodwill among the people of Sabah, in line with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani, which emphasises humanitarian values, mutual respect and togetherness. 'This Kaamatan theme clearly states that the Kaamatan Festival does not belong to one community alone, but is a shared celebration that includes all people regardless of race, religion or background. Advertisement 'I would like to wish a Happy Kaamatan Festival, Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan, to all celebrating communities,' he said. * 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
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Sabah to revive rice production in food security push, says CM
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is reactivating efforts to boost local food production, including rice farming, as part of a broader push for food security. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced the initiative at the state-level Kaamatan celebration, saying the festival serves as a timely reminder of the importance of agriculture. 'As we celebrate Kaamatan, we must also reflect on the significance of agriculture in our lives — especially padi farming, which has long been a symbol of our people's resilience,' he said in his speech during the launching ceremony of Pesta Kaamatan 2025 at the Hongkod Koisaan hall, on Friday (May 30). Hajiji said the state government is committed to strengthening Sabah's food supply chain by revitalising initiatives to increase local rice output and reduce reliance on imported food. These include the reactivation of the Sabah Paddy and Rice Board to improve the state's self-sufficiency level (SSL), with the aim of achieving 30% rice SSL by next year and 60% by 2030. 'These efforts are not just about economic sustainability — they are also about preserving our culture and heritage that revolve around rice and farming traditions,' he said. He added that the government is also focusing on improving the rural economy through modern agriculture, community-based tourism, and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), under the Sabah Maju Jaya development blueprint. Hajiji stressed that strong cooperation with the Federal Government would be crucial in ensuring that the state's development policies translate into tangible benefits for the people. 'I am confident that our close relationship with the federal government will help accelerate the success of our state development agenda,' he said. Beyond agriculture, Hajiji also emphasised that Kaamatan serves as a unifying force for Sabah's multicultural society, bringing people together in the spirit of harmony, respect, and mutual appreciation. 'This festival is a reflection of our unity in diversity — Kaamatan belongs to everyone, and through it, we celebrate not only the harvest but also the values of togetherness that bind us as Sabahans,' he said. He also noted that this year's Kaamatan marks the 65th celebration since its official introduction in 1960, with the theme 'Kaamatan Untuk Semua, Kaamatan For All, Kaamatan Montok Toinsanan'. The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for gracing the celebration, calling his presence 'a meaningful gesture of support for Sabah's culture, people and aspirations.' Kaamatan, also known as the Harvest Festival, is an annual cultural event celebrated by the Kadazan Dusun and Murut communities and has grown to reflect the state's broader multicultural identity.
