PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised that while Sabah is already a "great" state, it has the potential to become even greater by focusing on good governance and fully leveraging its blue economy.
He said Sabah can address long-standing issues such as food security and employment, transforming its economic landscape with the right approach.
“Sabah is blessed. This state, the great Sabah, can be greater if you focus on these issues,” Anwar said at the launch of the Sabah International Blue Economy Conference.
Anwar stressed on the importance of transparency and accountability in leadership, stressing that political stability alone is insufficient without responsible governance.
Anwar commended Sabah’s natural advantages, particularly its maritime resources, but noted that the state must tackle governance issues and combat corruption if it hopes to fully realise its potential.
“Political stability alone is not the answer. You must also have good governance by responsible leaders,” he said, adding that addressing these challenges would ensure that the benefits of the blue economy reach local communities.
In past speeches in Sabah, Anwar had touched several times on the matter of corruption, linking the issue with the state's timber industry.
Anwar also highlighted that despite Sabah’s wealth of marine resources, the state still imports more than half of its food.
He urged local authorities to harness these resources to boost food security and reduce dependency on imports.
“Imagine, with this beautiful ocean surrounding us, we still import more than 50% of our food. It doesn’t make sense,” he said.
The blue economy focuses on the sustainable use of ocean resources and is now seen as a key driver for Sabah’s economic diversification.
Industries such as fisheries, marine energy, and coastal tourism are expected to play significant roles in the state’s future development.
With clarity of policies and a commitment to reform, Anwar expressed confidence that Sabah could become an economic powerhouse, provided governance issues are addressed.
He praised the state government’s efforts and called for further cooperation between stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth.
“Sabah has the potential to be an important part of Malaysia’s future – economically strong, vibrant, and sustainable – if we focus on these key issues,” he said. - October 19, 2024
