Sabah Explores Marine Resource Potential To Develop Blue Economy - Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU, 4 Aug (Bernama) -- The Sabah government is exploring the potential of the blue economy involving the exploration of marine resources as a new economic resource and potential products from the industry. 

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the exploration was one of the continuous and aggressive efforts to boost economic growth via new and existing resources. 

“Sabah is surrounded by the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea and the Celebes Sea, with high potential for exploration and development of the blue economy.

“In October, the state government will hold an international seminar on ‘The Blue Economy’, which is expected to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said during the Sabah Keadilan Convention here today. 

The inaugural convention held by the Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) was officiated by Anwar, who is also the party president, with an attendance of approximately 14,000 people at the Sabah International Convention Centre. 

In addition to Hajiji, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman, the ceremony was attended by Pakatan Harapan Sabah chairman Datuk Christina Liew and Barisan Nasional Sabah Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

Also present were Pertubuhan Kinabalu Progresif Bersatu president Datuk Ewon Benedick, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, and Sabah PKR state leadership council chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud. 

Hajiji said the Sabah government will continue to act swiftly to support the development policy of “Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya” in line with the MADANI Malaysia vision, which aspires for a rapidly developing country, playing an important role at the global level, thus becoming a respected and reputable country. 

He said that Sabah has become the focus of a number of investors, with investment value reaching RM12 billion over the past two years, and as a result of the country’s dynamic and investor-friendly leadership style, the state is directly enjoying its benefits.

As a result of the influx of domestic and foreign investors, the Chief Minister said thousands of job opportunities were offered to the Sabah youth to fill the requirements at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park and the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park. 

Hajiji said that due to the close relationship with the federal government, Sabah entered into a strategic partnership with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) by signing a commercial collaboration agreement which provided many opportunities and benefits to the state including greater participation in the oil and gas sector. 

Regarding the issue of hardcore poverty, Hajiji said the Sabah government is determined to deal with the issue thoroughly via an approach of offering jobs to the target group by involving the participation of several government agencies, government-linked companies, and the private sector, including investors. 

"This proactive measure has succeeded in reducing the number of hardcore poor in Sabah to only 1,147 heads of household as of July this year. We will continue to implement this aggressive approach to eradicate hardcore poverty in Sabah. 

“But the number of people under the poor category is still large in Sabah, and they need continuous assistance from the state and federal government,” he added.

-- BERNAMA