By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called for urgent projects, particularly in education and hospital, to be prioritised in implementation for the benefit of the people.
He said the MyProjek report stated that Sabah has received an allocation of RM6.59 billion under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), covering 1,233 projects to ensure the state continues to progress.
“I also want more frequent monitoring of development projects to avoid delays.
“Issues and challenges in project implementation must be examined and referred to the appropriate channels, such as relevant central agencies and the State Government, particularly when problems involve funding, land matters and utilities,” he said when chairing the State Development Action Council (MTPNg) meeting at Menara Kinabalu.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the Kota Kinabalu District Development Meeting on March 15, 2026, had stressed the immediate implementation of small-scale “low-hanging fruit” projects that can deliver quick impact to the people.
“These small projects must be implemented efficiently, swiftly, on schedule and with full integrity so that they can be quickly enjoyed by the people of Sabah.
“It is unacceptable for projects in this category to be delayed, often due to local issues such as land ownership and utilities.
“I want implementing agencies and project owners to carry out frequent monitoring of these ‘low-hanging fruit’ projects,” he said.
Hajiji said the Hardcore Poverty Eradication Programme for Sabah 2026 is an aggressive continuation of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development agenda.
He added that in 2026, the State Government launched SMJ 2.0 (2026–2030), which places poverty eradication as a key pillar to ensure no one is left behind in the state’s development.
“With a record-high budget allocation of RM12.02 billion for 2026, a significant portion of funds has been channelled into basic infrastructure projects such as water, electricity and roads, which will directly drive economic activities across all districts,” he said.
He said various State Government initiatives have been implemented to enhance quality of life and provide a social safety net for vulnerable groups, including the “Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat” Programme (SYUKUR).
“The success of the SMJ 1.0 Development Plan has given us confidence that the state is on the right track.
“The SMJ 2.0 Development Plan is a continuation that demands continuous transformation in enhancing our capabilities, including changes in mindset, work culture and the creation of new value for the people,” he said.
He said that under SMJ 2.0, the State Government continues to focus on three main sectors, namely agriculture, industry and tourism.
This includes ensuring sustainable economic growth, strengthening human capital and people’s wellbeing so that no one is left behind in the wave of modernisation, as well as improving infrastructure and green connectivity to accelerate solutions to water supply, electricity and road network issues, particularly the Pan Borneo Highway.
Hajiji said reporting on delayed projects during the meeting is important to ensure implementation issues are resolved within the stipulated timeframe.
“The State Government takes this matter seriously as delays in project completion will lead to increased costs and losses to the Government,” he said.
He urged all relevant parties to remain committed to resolving delays in the implementation of development projects in Sabah, particularly “low-hanging fruit” projects that can deliver high and immediate impact to the people.
Hajiji chairing the State Development Action Council meeting at Menara Kinabalu.
