Hajiji greeting heads of departments and security agencies during the dinner held in conjunction with the ESSZone Security Inspection at Seafest Hotel Semporna, last night.
SEMPORNA: Semporna is not merely an ordinary coastal district but the pulse and key catalyst for Sabah’s economic transformation through the Blue Economy agenda under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
He said the district’s extraordinary potential could generate wide-ranging economic spillover effects if managed strategically, benefiting not only the local community but also the State as a whole.
“In other words, Semporna’s success is Sabah’s success,” he said at a dinner held in conjunction with his working visit to the district for the ESSZone Security Inspection at Seafest Hotel, here, last night.
Hajiji said Semporna had already emerged as a benchmark in several key initiatives, particularly in the high-impact and sustainable marine tourism sector.
He said Sipadan Island had successfully implemented a daily visitor quota system, which is now recognised as a model for high-value and sustainable tourism management, balancing environmental conservation with economic activities.
“At Tun Sakaran Marine Park, we are witnessing a harmonious synergy between tourism, biodiversity conservation and community participation.
“This is the foundation of the community-based tourism concept that we want to expand because it ensures that Semporna’s natural wealth is returned to its people,” he said.
Hajiji said the State Government is intensifying efforts to transform the marine aquaculture sector to shift from raw material production towards a value-added economy.
Among the Government’s priorities, he said, are the expansion of integrated commercial-scale aquaculture zones, the introduction of more efficient and environmentally friendly modern sea cage technology, as well as stronger support for seaweed entrepreneurs to improve productivity and produce export-quality products.
“At the same time, we are also working to attract high-impact investments in the downstream seafood processing sector so that the entire economic value chain can be comprehensively controlled,” he said.
To support the sector’s growth, Hajiji said the Government is also formulating plans to upgrade critical supporting infrastructure in Semporna.
This includes the modernisation of jetty facilities and logistics networks, the development of a comprehensive cold chain system to preserve seafood quality, broader access to international export markets, as well as the provision of more organised, safe and world-class public tourism facilities.
The Chief Minister stressed that Semporna’s major development agenda could not be realised without strong grassroots leadership and a high level of commitment to sustainability principles.
He said focus areas such as Mabul Island and Kapalai Island are facing increasing pressure from congestion and rapid development, requiring a more prudent management approach.
“If not managed properly, we risk damaging the natural assets that are the State’s economic goldmine. Sustainability must be viewed as an investment, not a burden,” he said.
In this regard, Hajiji called on local leaders to play a more proactive role as the “main custodians” of the ecosystem by helping to enforce regulations, combat unsustainable activities, spearhead community awareness campaigns and encourage youth participation in the Blue Economy sector driven by innovation and modern technology.
He also stressed that every development initiative in Semporna must be guided by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles to ensure a balance between economic progress and long-term sustainability.
“The government will not compromise with any form of development that pursues short-term profits at the expense of the State’s future,” he said.
Hajiji said Semporna has the potential to emerge as a world-class sustainable marine tourism hub, a modern aquaculture centre and the nation’s leading premium seafood producer.
He added that the district could also become a model for coastal community economic development and a centre of reference for Blue Economy excellence in Sabah.
He expressed confidence that with the commitment of all parties, including State Government agencies, district leadership, implementing agencies and the local community, Semporna would be able to achieve those aspirations.
“What we plan and implement today is our promise to future generations, so that they inherit oceans that are not only rich in natural beauty, but also abundant with economic opportunities that guarantee a prosperous livelihood,” he said.
