Caretaker chief minister Hajiji Noor said his government’s Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 masterplan will strengthen the state’s people-centric direction.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 will continue the state’s development momentum by focusing on economic growth and human capital for the benefit of all Sabahans, said interim Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.
Hajiji said the initiative will build on earlier programmes introduced by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) under the state’s SMJ 1.0 blueprint, which have boosted revenue, enabled infrastructure upgrades, and facilitated the rollout of key welfare schemes.
He said the SMJ masterplan was essential to ensure clear and steady administration for a state as vast as Sabah.
“It covers everything from economic development to the tourism industry, agriculture, human capital, the wellbeing of the people and infrastructure development,” Hajiji said in an exclusive interview with FMT.
“Our people will suffer without access to proper education and skills development – this is what I mean by human capital development.”
Healthier state reserves, resolving water woes
One of the standout achievements under Hajiji’s administration has been the surge in Sabah’s state reserves, rising from RM3 billion to over RM8 billion within the space of a mere five years.
Revenue has increased to almost RM7 billion a year, up from RM4 billion previously, with Hajiji expecting it to soar even further next year.
The caretaker chief minister, who has been in office since 2010, also addressed Sabah’s perennial water woes, saying it was one he had inherited from the previous administration.
“As a responsible government, we are doing our best,” he said, adding that his administration has undertaken several measures to resolve the issue.
They include:
A RM1.2 billion water project covering the entire state of Sabah.
Upgrading works to 18 water treatment plants financed by a RM320 million loan from the federal government.
The construction of the RM385 million Kogopon Papar water treatment plant, poised to be completed by next year.
The construction of the Telibong II water treatment plant, which now supplies 160 million litres a day to residents in Kota Kinabalu.
The Cinta Mata Tawau dam, scheduled to be completed by 2028.
Installing water pipes in Ranau, Pulau Banggi and in rural areas, projects financed using state funds.
Roads and power supply: New solutions for old problems
On the opposition’s criticisms about Sabah’s poorly maintained roads, Hajiji said his detractors were the very ones who had failed to resolve the problems when they were in power.
“There were those who were rural ministers for several years, yet the construction of roads in rural areas has yet to be completed,” he said in a veiled jab at Warisan president Shafie Apdal, adding that upgrading works were now under way with support from the federal government.
As for the frequent power cuts, Hajiji attributed the disruptions to a surge in demand, particularly from new investors.
He said the Energy Commission of Sabah has approved over 1,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation through multiple solar and hydro projects, expected to be completed within the next two to three years.
Widening aid distribution
Hajiji said the state government has also been prioritising direct assistance to lower-income groups through targeted SMJ initiatives.
These initiatives include:
RM300 a month to some 100,000 e-Kasih recipients.
Approving the construction of 7,000 free homes, with 6,000 units already completed.
Distributing RM200 in financial aid to Form 5 students ahead of their SPM examinations.
Providing a one-off RM300 subsidy to undergraduates for return airfares.
“(All revenue) is channelled back to the people. This hasn’t happened before,” Hajiji, who took helm of Sabah in 2020, said.
Elect government with proven record
With the 17th state election fast approaching, Hajiji urged voters to assess his government based on its track record in office.
“Vote for the party that has a proven track record in developing Sabah and one that has a clear direction. Don’t scuttle the development plans we have.”
Hajiji expressed confidence that SMJ 2.0 will steer the state towards a more modern and orderly phase of development, one firmly focused on benefitting the people.
