Security crucial for Sabah's economic growth and people's wellbeing

KOTA KINABALU, MARCH 10, 2026:Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor presents Raya cookies to security personnel at Menara Kinabalu here. Photo courtesy of Sabah Chief Minister's department.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will ensure security is at its highest level to facilitate economic growth and the wellbeing of its people. State Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Sabah’s potential to become a Blue Economy hub in Eastern Asean is immense, given its rich marine biodiversity and strategic location along regional trade routes. “In fact, within the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 framework, the maritime sector and Blue Economy have been identified as new drivers of the state’s growth through the development of a modern fisheries industry, strengthening of the seafood value chain, expansion of marine tourism, improvement of port infrastructure, and the development of coastal and border towns as new economic hubs. “However, all these potentials can only be fully realised when the security of the state’s waters is always assured. “Without stable security, investments in the maritime sector, marine tourism and the seafood industry will not develop well,” he said when speaking at the presentation ceremony of Hari Raya Aidilfitri cookies to members of the security forces and healthcare workers at Menara Kinabalu today. The Chief Minister said Sabah holds a strategic position with a coastline of more than 1,400 kilometres. “In the context of national security, Sabah represents Malaysia’s front line in Borneo and the Sulu Sea, placing the state as Malaysia’s maritime economic gateway in this region. “Particularly in eastern Sabah, the ESSZone, or Eastern Sabah Security Zone, covers 10 main districts, namely Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau. “This area is strengthened through the role of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom), which coordinates land, sea and air security operations along Sabah’s east coast, and its existence stands as a symbol of national sovereignty in eastern Sabah. “Therefore, bolstering security is crucial not only to protect the people but also to open opportunities for the development of border towns as new economic gateways for the state through cross-border trade, logistics, ports and marine resource-based industries,” he said. The Chief Minister said that besides physical security, the state’s wellbeing also depends on the health security of its people. “The state government greatly appreciates the role of healthcare workers who remain committed to combating infectious diseases, including tuberculosis (TB), which continues to pose a public health challenge in the state. “Early detection efforts, continuous treatment and health awareness programmes carried out by healthcare personnel are crucial in protecting communities, particularly in rural and coastal areas,” he said. He said frontliners carry a heavy responsibility in ensuring the community's safety.