PENAMPANG: The Sabah Government welcomes partners who share its objective of building an economy that is more productive, inclusive, innovative and sustainable, said Deputy Chief Minister II cum Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
He said Sabah had tremendous potential, but its natural advantages needed to be combined with technology, investment, human capital and good governance to translate that potential into meaningful economic outcomes for the people.
As Sabah moves towards becoming a stronger digital economy, Masidi said developing its own talent must also be a priority.
“A sustainable digital economy cannot depend indefinitely on expertise imported from elsewhere. We want Sabahans to participate not merely as users of technology, but increasingly as developers, engineers, entrepreneurs, researchers, managers and innovators,” he said when officiating at the 10th Malaysia Digital Economy Forum (MDEF) 2026 at ITCC Penampang on Tuesday.
Masidi said organisations such as the Malaysia Digital Chamber of Commerce (MDCC) and companies investing in Sabah had an important role to play in developing local capabilities.
“When you invest in Sabah, invest also in Sabahan talent.
“Create internships. Provide professional training. Transfer knowledge. Work with our universities and TVET institutions. Give local SMEs opportunities to participate in your supply chains,” he said.
He said such efforts would ensure investment left behind something more valuable than the investment itself – capability.
Masidi said Sabah was poised to become a stronger digital economy hub in East Malaysia through better infrastructure, investment, technology partnerships, talent development and opportunities for local SMEs and start-ups.
He said the forum’s theme, “Blue Economy and Emerging Technologies: Empowering a Resilient, Digital and Sustainable Future for Malaysia and ASEAN”, was highly relevant to Sabah, given the State’s extensive marine resources, biodiversity and strategic geographical position.
“Sabah is blessed with extensive marine resources, biodiversity and a strategic geographical position. But resources alone do not guarantee prosperity.
“The question for us is how we can use these strengths more intelligently, sustainably and productively to create greater economic value and, most importantly, better opportunities for our people,” he said.
Masidi said under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0, the Blue Economy had been identified as one of the strategic drivers of Sabah’s future growth, covering smart fisheries, modern aquaculture and mariculture, marine biotechnology, maritime logistics and sustainable tourism.
He said the 2026 State Budget provided funding to begin preparing the Kudat Blue Economy Industrial Park Master Plan, as well as funding for the Fisheries Blue Economy Initiative.
He said the future of the Blue Economy could not be separated from the digital economy, as the ocean economy would increasingly depend on data, artificial intelligence, automation, digital platforms, satellite technology, smart logistics and other emerging technologies.
“These technologies can help us monitor our marine environment, improve fisheries productivity, strengthen supply chains, manage tourism destinations and connect Sabah businesses to markets well beyond our shores,” he said.
Masidi stressed that technology was a means to an end and not the end itself, adding that digital transformation should solve actual problems, improve organisational performance and create tangible value.
He said its success should ultimately be measured through higher productivity, stronger local capabilities, better services, greater business resilience and more opportunities for the people.
“Technology is a means to an end. It is not the end itself,” he said.
Masidi said strong digital growth also required infrastructure, skilled people, trusted systems and strong partnerships between the Government, industry and educational institutions.
He said Malaysia was moving rapidly towards its ambition of becoming an AI Nation by 2030, while Sabah needed to ensure its people were equipped to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
He also called for stronger connections between technology companies and local entrepreneurs, investors and Sabahan start-ups, universities and industry, as well as government policy and private-sector innovation.
He said forums such as MDEF should ultimately lead to actual collaborations, investments, training programmes, business opportunities and new solutions.
Masidi congratulated MDCC, its organising committee and partners for bringing the 10th MDEF to Sabah.
