KOTA KINABALU — Sabah’s Federal development expenditure performance reached 71.78 per cent as of Oct 26, up from 52.07 per cent on Aug 10, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said.
He said 291 development projects had been completed in the state this year, including Sekolah Menengah Sains Sabah in Kota Kinabalu and Sekolah Kebangsaan Buit Hill in Penampang.
“This demonstrates that we are capable of successfully implementing development projects, and this positive performance should be sustained,” he said when chairing the State Development Action Council (MTPNg) meeting at Menara Kinabalu here.
Hajiji urged ministries, departments and implementing agencies to step up efforts to utilise the remaining allocations before the end of the 2026 financial year, particularly for projects facing delays or at risk of becoming ailing projects.
He said issues involving technical approvals, land acquisition, utility relocation, procurement and contract management must be addressed promptly through better coordination among the agencies concerned.
“Every development allocation is a responsibility entrusted to us and must be translated into tangible benefits for the people,” he said, adding that issues involving multiple agencies must be resolved according to clear timelines.
Meanwhile, Hajiji welcomed the RM18.7 billion allocated to Sabah under Budget MADANI 2027, tabled on Oct 9, up from RM17.6 billion this year.
He said the increase reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to meeting Sabah’s development needs, particularly in basic infrastructure and public well-being.
Priority projects include Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah, electricity supply upgrades through the STATCOM system projects at Dam Road and Segaliud in Sandakan, and the Southern Link Transmission Line in Sipitang.
He also highlighted the nearly RM1.3 billion allocation to upgrade 682 dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak.
Hajiji urged the relevant ministries and agencies to prepare thoroughly to ensure projects were implemented according to schedule and priorities.
He also called on implementing agencies to use MTPNg meetings to resolve project issues and take concrete action rather than merely discuss problems.
He said the state’s development success should be measured not only by allocations or the number of projects completed, but also by improvements in the quality of life and well-being of Sabahans, in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 agenda.
At the meeting, Hajiji welcomed newly appointed Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Zul Hadi Ahmad and called for closer Federal-State cooperation to ensure effective implementation of development projects.
