KOTA KINABALU — Sabah is leveraging its natural resources sustainably to attract investment, strengthen market access and create higher-value economic opportunities, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said.
He said sustainability was increasingly shaping investment decisions, access to international markets and the competitiveness of industries, beyond its traditional role in environmental protection and regulatory compliance.
“Sustainability is no longer simply a matter of environmental protection or regulatory compliance, important as those responsibilities remain.
“It is increasingly influencing where investments go, which businesses can access international markets, and how competitive our industries will be in the years ahead,” he said in his speech at the opening of the Sustainable Action Conference 2026 (SAC 4.0) at Magellan Sutera Resort here today.
His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun.
The conference, organised by Control Union Malaysia with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Malaysia, was held in Kota Kinabalu for the first time.
Hajiji said Sabah’s forests, biodiversity, rivers, coastlines and marine ecosystems were among the state’s greatest assets, supporting key industries and sustaining the livelihoods of countless Sabahans.
He said environmental protection and economic development should not be treated as conflicting objectives, stressing the need to manage natural resources responsibly to ensure long-term prosperity.
The approach is aligned with the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 development plan for 2026-2030, which identifies agriculture, industry and tourism as key economic pillars, with sustainability playing an increasingly important role in their growth.
He said the state’s Blue Economy agenda also offered significant opportunities in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, maritime activities and nature-based tourism.
“We want these industries to grow, but their long-term success depends on how well we manage the resources on which they rely,” he said.
Hajiji said forests and mangroves also provided substantial economic and social benefits by protecting biodiversity, storing carbon and strengthening the resilience of coastal communities.
He warned that environmental degradation could directly affect fishermen, farmers, tourism operators and communities dependent on natural resources.
“Responsible management is therefore not only good environmental policy. It is also sound economic policy,” he said.
On energy, he said the state government was pursuing greater energy security, a more reliable supply and opportunities in renewable energy and emerging technologies through the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040.
He said Sabah needed sufficient and affordable energy to support industrial growth and investment while progressively improving the sustainability and efficiency of its energy system.
The same principles applied to buildings, infrastructure and urban development, as decisions made today would influence how efficiently communities used energy and resources in the years ahead, he added.
Hajiji said international markets were also placing greater emphasis on responsible production, particularly in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
He said traceability, environmental standards and good governance were becoming increasingly important to market access and competitiveness.
“We must help our local industries, including smaller businesses, prepare for these changes. Adapting to higher standards requires investment, knowledge and time.
“Our approach must therefore be practical, raising standards while ensuring that our local businesses are not left behind,” he said.
He also welcomed practical sustainability initiatives highlighted at the conference, including the Zero Waste to Landfill initiative, which encourages participating organisations to divert at least 75 per cent of their operational waste from landfill within 12 months.
“I encourage more organisations in Sabah to consider how they can reduce waste, recover resources and improve efficiency in their own operations,” he said.
Hajiji also welcomed the continuation of the From Children to Children initiative and a RM40,000 commitment this year to support school-led sustainability projects in Sabah.
He said the transition towards a more sustainable economy required cooperation among the state government, businesses, financial institutions, investors, researchers and communities.
“Sabah welcomes partnerships that can bring new investment, technologies and expertise to our State.
“At the same time, we want these opportunities to create meaningful employment, strengthen local capabilities and deliver tangible benefits to our people.
“Ultimately, our success must not be measured only by the investments we attract, but also by the lasting value they create for Sabah and its people,” he said.
