SEMPORNA:Sabah’s development must extend well beyond Kota Kinabalu and the state’s other major urban centres, with every district afforded the opportunity to grow in line with its own needs, strengths and economic potential, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said.
He said development initiatives must be pursued across the length and breadth of the state, so that economic progress and its benefits are genuinely felt by communities in both urban and rural areas.
Against this backdrop, Hajiji said the commercial development along Jalan Bubul here should be understood as part of Sabah’s broader development journey — not merely as another commercial project.
He said Semporna already commands international recognition for its picturesque islands, crystal-clear waters and world-class diving attractions, giving the district considerable room for further economic growth.
“Semporna has highly valuable natural assets. However, to ensure this potential translates into greater economic benefits for the people, we need development that complements one another,” he said.
Hajiji was speaking at the launch of 106 units of two-storey shoplots under Phase One and the groundbreaking ceremony for Phases Two and Three of the Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (LPPB) Commercial Project at Jalan Bubul here on Tuesday.
He said the tourism sector should develop hand in hand with local business growth — creating greater opportunities for entrepreneurs, generating employment for young people, and ensuring local communities benefit directly from economic expansion.
The strategic siting of the Jalan Bubul development along the main Balung–Semporna route, he added, positions the area to emerge as a new trading and business hub.
“I believe that if properly planned and implemented, this area can become one of the catalysts for economic growth in and around Semporna,” he said.
Hajiji also drew attention to the development’s proximity to the river and sea, suggesting that Ampe (Semporna) Sdn Bhd consider constructing a jetty as part of the area’s future plans.
A well-designed jetty, he said, could add considerable value to the project by creating a recreational attraction where visitors might enjoy river and sea views, watch the sunset and take photographs.
“We want to make the best possible use of the beauty that Allah has bestowed upon Semporna,” he said.
Hajiji said 2026 marks the beginning of a new phase in Sabah’s development with the implementation of the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan 2.0 (SMJ 2.0) for 2026–2030, building upon the foundations laid under SMJ 1.0.
SMJ 2.0, he said, is designed to strengthen Sabah’s competitiveness, productivity and economic value, while ensuring development remains inclusive and sustainable.
“We want a Sabah with a more diversified economy that provides more opportunities for the people, and we want human capital that is better prepared for the economy of the future.
“We also want development that ultimately improves the wellbeing of the people,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the State Government will continue to cultivate a conducive environment for development — strengthening infrastructure, improving service delivery and attracting the right investments — while working closely with the private sector and other stakeholders.
He stressed that Sabah’s development cannot be driven by government alone, but requires the collective participation of the private sector, implementing agencies, entrepreneurs and the rakyat.
“We do not want Sabah to merely be a destination for investment. We want Sabahans to be part of that investment and that growth,” he said.
Hajiji said the benefits of development must reach urban and rural communities alike, large and small entrepreneurs, and people across generations.
The State Government, he added, will continue to give due attention to the development of every district in Sabah — because no district is too far away, and no potential should be left untapped.
