Sabah Outlines Plan To Upgrade Critical Infrastructure In Semporna - Hajiji Noor

KOTA KINABALU, May 7 (Bernama) --The Sabah government is formulating plans to upgrade critical supporting infrastructure in Semporna to support the sector’s continued growth.

Chief Minister Hajiji Noor said the initiatives include the modernisation of jetty facilities and logistics networks, the development of a comprehensive cold chain system to preserve the quality of marine produce, expanding access to international export markets, and providing more organised, safe and world-class tourism facilities.

He said tourism hotspots such as Pulau Mabul and Pulau Kapalai are facing increasing pressure from rapid development and rising visitor density, requiring a more prudent and sustainable management approach.

“If not managed properly, we risk damaging the natural assets that are the goldmine of the state’s economy. Sustainability must be seen as an investment, not a burden,” he said in a statement today.

Hajiji stressed that all development in Semporna must be guided by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles to ensure a balance between economic growth and long-term sustainability.

He said the state government would not compromise on developments that prioritise short-term profits at the expense of Sabah’s future.

According to Hajiji, Semporna has the potential to emerge as a world-class sustainable marine tourism hub, a modern aquaculture centre and the country’s leading premium seafood producer.

He added that the district could also serve as a model for coastal community economic development and become a reference centre for Sabah’s Blue Economy initiatives.

However, he said the broader development agenda would only succeed with strong grassroots leadership and a firm commitment to sustainability principles.

Therefore, he called on local leaders to play a more proactive role as “guardians” of the ecosystem by assisting in enforcement efforts, curbing unsustainable activities, leading community awareness campaigns and encouraging youth participation in the Blue Economy sector driven by innovation and modern technology.

“What we are planning and implementing today is our promise to future generations so that they inherit an ocean that is not only rich in natural beauty but also fertile with economic opportunities that guarantee well-being,” he said.

Hajiji noted that Semporna has already pioneered several key initiatives that could serve as benchmarks, particularly in sustainable, high-impact marine tourism.

Citing Sipadan Island as an example, he said the successful implementation of a daily visitor quota system has become a model for high-value and sustainable tourism management, balancing environmental conservation with economic activities.

“In Tun Sakaran Marine Park, we are witnessing a harmonious synergy between tourism, biodiversity conservation and local community involvement. This forms the foundation of the community-based tourism concept that we want to expand because it ensures that Semporna’s natural wealth benefits its people,” he said.

He added that the state government is intensifying efforts to transform the marine aquaculture sector from a raw material-based industry into a value-added economy.

Among the key priorities are the expansion of integrated commercial-scale aquaculture zones, the introduction of modern and environmentally friendly sea cage technology, and stronger support for seaweed entrepreneurs to boost productivity and ensure export-quality standards.

“At the same time, we are also working to attract high-impact investments in the downstream processing sector of marine products so that the economic value chain can be fully controlled,” he said.

-- BERNAMA