Dr Joachim (second left) touring the exhibition booths.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s transformation into a world-class economic hub and smart city state is guided by the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) vision, which aims to achieve balanced development through digital innovation, sustainability and human capital growth, said Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
According to him, the vision reflects the current State Government’s long-term ambition to ensure that Sabah becomes a united, peaceful, prosperous and progressive society.
He said the SMJ vision aligns with Malaysia’s national agenda under the Malaysia Madani framework and the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, focusing on the optimisation of state resources, economic revitalisation and human development.
“The current Government had long envisioned transforming Sabah into a world-class economic hub and smart cities. This is in line with the SMJ Vision — to achieve a state and society that is united, peaceful, prosperous and well-developed,” he said when delivering his keynote address at the Borneo Architecture Festival (BAF) 2025 held at The Magellan Sutera Resort here today.
Dr Joachim (third left) receiving a memento from Sabah Chapter Chairman, Ar Daniel Koh.
Dr Joachim said the Government’s push for smart cities across several strategic locations in Sabah is being spearheaded under the Digital Government Strategic Plan, which seeks to create a digital economy ecosystem that directly benefits the community.
He noted that the initiative supports the third thrust of the SMJ development blueprint — the development of infrastructure networks and green sustainability, focusing on building and improving connectivity across land, sea, air and communication infrastructure.
“The smart city initiative also aims to digitalise government services, improve accessibility and equality, and ensure that all communities can enjoy the benefits of modern infrastructure,” he said.
Dr Joachim added that Sabah’s approach towards smart urban development is not merely about modern technology but also about integrating sustainability and inclusivity into planning and governance, ensuring that no segment of society is left behind in the digital transformation.
This year’s Borneo Architecture Festival, themed “Rewire // Rewild: Transforming Cities // Back to Nature”, encapsulates the dual challenges of modernisation and ecological preservation.
He said the concept of “rewire” reflects the paradigm shift towards smart, connected cities, while “rewild” represents the effort to restore harmony between architecture and nature through biophilic design and biomimicry.
Dr Joachim acknowledged that Sabah’s rapid modernisation and urbanisation pose risks to its rich cultural identity and natural heritage. He cautioned that development without understanding the local environment and culture could compromise both ecological health and social wellbeing.
“While pursuing innovation and modernisation, it is equally important to preserve our cultural heritage and foster a sense of belonging to our beautiful Borneo,” he said, urging policymakers and civil servants to understand the long-term social impacts of development decisions.
Dr Joachim commended the Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) Sabah Chapter for its ongoing collaboration with the ministry in policy development, construction delivery improvements and the facilitation of sustainable design practices.
He expressed confidence that platforms such as BAF 2025 would continue to inspire collaboration between the government, professionals, developers and the public, towards realizing a smarter, greener and more inclusive Sabah.
“I hope that through this festival, the exchange of ideas and experiences will continue to spur innovation and strengthen regional economic development,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Permanent Secretary Minister of Local Government & Housing, TPr Stanley Chong; Director General, DBKK Datuk Sr Lifred Wong; Vice President of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia, Ar Norzaini Mufti; Organising Chair-person of Borneo Architecture Festival 2025, Ar Sharon M Amin and Chairman of PAM Sarawak Chapter, Ar Noraini Noradden.
