SEAC to complement Sabah's drive towards economic recovery

 By Olivia Miwil - January 11, 2021 @ 5:49pm

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor presenting the appointment letter to the SEAC chairman, Tan Sri David Chu (second left) after the special meeting. Also present are State Secretary Datuk Sr Safar Untong (right) and Deputy State Secretary Datuk Hajah Mariam Omar Matusin (left). - NSTP/Courtesy of Sabah Chief Minister's office

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government today announced the formation of the Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SEAC), geared towards complementing the state's efforts in achieving economic recovery.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said the council comprises industry players, academicians and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Hajiji made the announcement after chairing the council's special meeting at the Sabah Administrative Centre here today.

"The SEAC idea was mooted when the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government took over the helm.

"Since October last year, the council lost no time in bringing together members comprising industry players, academicians and NGOs to brainstorm for the way forward for the state's economic recovery," he said in a statement.

Hajiji who is also the state Finance Minister, said the SEAC was a voluntary effort by appointed members who have agreed to give their service to the state in an advisory role to complement the state government's efforts to pursue economic recovery.

"On behalf of the state government, I applaud their willingness to help and I look forward to fruitful contributions by the SEAC," he said.

The SEAC is led by Tan Sri David Chu Sui Kiong with Datuk Tan Kim Beng as secretary.

Members of SEAC are Tan Sri (Dr) Goh Tian Chuan, Tan Sri Andrew Liew Sui Fatt, Datuk Seri Clarence Bongkos Malakun, Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Md Mansur, Datuk John Lo Thau Fah and Datuk Ismail Abdullah.

The chairman's liaison officer is Abdul Rahman Md Tahir.

Hajiji said plans must be put in place and turned into action once the Covid-19 pandemic subsides.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has caused economic chaos everywhere and we in Malaysia were not spared.

"While the government has made all efforts to deal with losses and hardships suffered by almost all strata of society, we must remain steadfast and resilient," he said.

He said the state government's development blueprint, known as the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (Development Plan 2021-2025) is in the last stages of finalisation and will be tabled soon.

He said the development plan will see the involvement of the private sector with the SEAC being among the vehicles to bring change and transform the economy.