Hajiji chairing the Sedia meeting.
TUARAN: The Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) has submitted 14 project applications, including 10 new ones costing RM702 million under the First Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) beginning early next year.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor hoped Sedia’s applications would receive the necessary consideration and approval from the Ministry of Economy.
Chairing Sedia’s meeting at the Rumpun Bajau Sama Cultural Centre in Kampung Lok Batik here today, Hajiji commended Sedia for maintaining its clean bill of financial health from the Auditor-General for 15 consecutive years.
“I want all projects under Sedia’s supervision to be monitored regularly and diligently to ensure any arising problems can be resolved immediately,” he said.
Hajiji, who is also Chairman of Sedia, said that in the past two years, the authority has successfully conducted research and conferences on sectors that can boost Sabah’s economic activities.
Hajiji presenting Sedia Kasih Ramadan contribution to one of the recipients.
“Sedia, with funding from the Economy Ministry, has completed the Sabah Border Area Economic Development Study, which provides a comprehensive strategic plan to spur sustainable economic growth at the Sipitang, Nabawan, Kalabakan and Tawau borders.
“These areas are strategically located near Northern Kalimantan, Brunei and Sarawak. Nine high potential economic sectors have been identified,” he said.
He said the economic sectors included community-based tourism, fishery and
aquaculture, palm oil downstream industry, biochemical, biofuel and cross-border trade that has been projected to boost the Gross Value Added to existing resources by 330 per cent to RM1.6 billion and opened up 10,660 job opportunities by 2040.
Apart from that, a feasibility study on blood cockle farming carried out by Sedia and the Federal and Sabah Fisheries Departments have identified several suitable locations in Tawau, Semporna, Tuaran, Kudat, Beluran and Teluk Padas Beaufort.
The Blood Cockles project, which would be the first in Sabah, has the potential to be
turned into a People Income Initiative (IPR) project to help more than 3,000 people,” he said.
Hajiji being greeted upon arrival.
Meanwhile, he said the collaboration between Sedia and Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) has assessed and guided 10 local research with commercial potential.
Hajiji said Sabah was also chosen as the testing ground for passenger and cargo
transportation drones prepared by Sedia and FUTURISE Berhad, a Malaysia Finance Ministry company at a suitable location.
Hajiji said Sedia had implemented more than 1,275 projects since 2009 through the 9th Malaysia Plan until 12MP.
The Chief Minister said that during the same period, Sedia had been allocated a total of RM3.8 billion with RM3.1 billion received and about 90 per cent of it, or RM2.8 billion, had been spent to implement high-impact, people-centric, poverty eradication programme and human capital development projects, among others.
“Looking at the past, current and future initiatives, I want Sedia and other State
Government agencies to continue looking for strategic partners so that they can explore new fields with the potential to generate income and job opportunities,” he said.
Speaking at the Iftar ceremony with mosque and surau chairmen, Imam, Native Chiefs, Native Chief Representatives and Village Heads after meeting, Hajiji was glad to note that much has been done by the State Government in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya aspirations since 2020.
“This proved that more development could be carried out if we remained committed and focused on managing the state. All these were also made possible with the cooperation from all quarters, particularly the grassroots leaders, coupled with political stability.
“I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all grassroots leaders for their commitment and the vital role they have played all these while. In conjunction with the ceremony, Sedia presented Kasih Ramadan’s contribution to all the mosque and surau chairmen, Imam, Native Chiefs, Native Chief Representatives and Village Heads as an appreciation for their contribution to society.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr. Joachim Gunsalam, as Sedia Deputy Chairman, Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim and Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.
