Hajiji performing the launch gimmick for SMJ 2.0.
KOTA KINABALU: The State Government officially launched the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 Roadmap for the 2026-2030 period, aiming to catalyse a significant leap in the state’s competitiveness, productivity and economic value.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said that SMJ 2.0 serves as a progression and continuation of SMJ 1.0, which focused on recovery, stabilisation and restructuring following the pandemic and the 17th State Election (PRN17).
“SMJ 2.0 is more than just a development plan. It is a testament to the Government’s commitment to leading change in a fast-paced world driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), the digital economy, cross-border trade and global competition,” he said.
“SMJ 2.0 was formulated through comprehensive engagement with the State Cabinet, ministries, industry players, youth and citizens from all walks of life,” he said during the Chief Minister’s Keynote Address to Sabah Civil Servants and the Launch of SMJ 2.0 at Sabah International
Convention Centre (SICC) here today.
Hajiji (second from the right) shaking hands with civil servants attending the Chief Minister’s Address to Sabah State Civil Servants and the launch of SMJ today.
Hajiji said the 2026 State Budget allocates RM12.02 billion to fund 1,173 development programmes and projects – the highest in Sabah’s history. This aligns with the implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) and the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI.
The plan is also structured to comply with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles to ensure sustainable growth and social wellbeing.
According to the Chief Minister, SMJ 2.0 upholds the commitments and manifesto of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) for PRN17, anchored on four main pillars: Sabah First, Sabah Forward, Sabah Prosper and Sabah United.
The plan’s five core objectives are: building a united and peaceful society; optimising state revenue; diversifying the economy; boosting the people’s economy; and developing human capital.
The roadmap is driven by three main thrusts: Economic Growth Sectors: Focusing on Industry, Tourism and Agriculture; Human Capital Development and People’s Wellbeing, including education, TVET, STEM and digital and agricultural training; and Infrastructure Connectivity and Green Sustainability, encompassing basic infrastructure, sustainable energy and the environment.
The Chief Minister said these thrusts are supported by a focus on the Blue Economy, AI Digitalisation and Inclusive Development, powered by five key enablers: fiscal sustainability, financial facilities, service effectiveness, integrity in governance and digital government.
In the industrial sector, Hajiji said that Sabah has successfully attracted tens of billions of ringgit in investment. This includes the RM31 billion Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd project at Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP), which is expected to create 10,000 high skilled jobs and strengthen the steel industry supply chain in the state.
Additionally, he said the Government will accelerate the development and upgrading of strategic industrial parks at KKIP, SOGIP and POIC Lahad Datu. A Kudat Industrial Master Plan for the Blue Economy is also being drafted, while two new parks in Kota Belud–Kota Marudu and Beaufort–Kimanis are planned to expand regional development opportunities.
The Chief Minister added that the SME-UP Initiative targets 600 Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs. This includes the development of manufacturing data systems and the “Sabah Ready to Eat” (RTE) Programme, aimed at expanding the market reach of local products.
On tourism, he highlighted a very encouraging recovery, with nearly 10 million tourists recorded over the past five years. In line with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and Visit Sabah Year 2027, the Government is focusing on high-quality tourism, premium products, international events and global service standards, including the ASEAN Tourism Standard by 2030.
The preservation of heritage, culture and the environment remains a priority through the development of the Kinarut Cultural Centre, the Sabah State Arts Council, UNESCO World Heritage sites and Darvel Bay Park, supported by an allocation of RM444.69 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13).
Hajiji said that agriculture remains a strategic core of SMJ 2.0, encompassing crops, livestock and fisheries, with an allocation of RM580.45 million under RMK13.
“The rice Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) target is set to increase from 30% to 60% by 2030 through the Padi Revolution Programme across six districts, the provision of RM15 million worth of modern machinery, and the development of the Sabah Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABTeC) in Tuaran,” he said.
“The livestock sub-sector targets a 25% SSL for ruminants by 2030 through the Contract Farming Programme, while the fisheries sector will be driven by the Sabah Blue Economy, focusing on increased fish landings, port development and the growth of the downstream supply chain,” he stressed.
