KUDAT: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led Sabah Government is ready to move into a new phase of development, shifting from political stability to building the State’s real capacity to grow, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
“A stable government and stable politics have no value if the people’s problems are not solved. The people chose us to find solutions, not to listen to excuses,” the coalition’s Chairman told the GRS Convention 2026 at Dewan Tun Mustapha, Sunday.
Hajiji said the first five years of his administration focused on stabilising politics, strengthening finances, improving administration, building investor confidence, fighting for the State’s rights and reviving stalled projects.
He said stability must be used to attract investment, build infrastructure and plan for Sabah’s next 10 to 20 years, rather than simply keeping the government in power.
He said State revenue, which has risen to RM7 billion a year, should not be a source of pride. It must instead be returned to the people through development, opportunities and education.
He acknowledged that people still face basic problems, especially water, road and electricity supply but that the State Government is carrying out large scale work under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), including 173 Public Works Department projects and 77 water supply projects.
“Problems that have existed for decades are almost impossible to solve overnight, but work is under way, and no matter how difficult the challenge, the State Government will not stop until all problems are resolved.” The projects cover bridges, road networks, water treatment plants and water supply systems across the State and need time for design, land acquisition, tender and construction.
“What is final, we implement. What is still interim, we work on until it is finalised. What is not yet settled, we continue negotiating with stronger arguments and a firmer basis,” he said.
He said Sabah’s claims under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, including economic rights, remain a priority because they directly affect the state’s financial strength and its ability to deliver better development.
The State Government is using facts, financial data, legal grounds and full technical preparation to press its claims at the negotiating table, while keeping good working relations with the Federal Government. He said what matters most is that Sabah receives its revenue.
On oil and gas, Hajiji said the Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA) signed with Petronas in 2021 was an important turning point in raising Sabah’s participation in the industry.
Through SMJ Energy, Sabah now holds a 50 per cent participating interest in the Samarang Production Sharing Contract, besides taking part in oil, liquefied natural gas and petrochemical activities.
Local vendor involvement has grown from 133 contracts in 2021 to 499 in 2025.
He said the aim is not only to earn revenue from oil and gas production but also to ensure the people gain more through business opportunities, local expertise, ownership and downstream activities.
