THE first question on the success rate of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 1.0 at the Sabah assembly on Tuesday turned into a close to an hour-long monologue when Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan gave an exhaustive reply filled with political affirmations and general praise.
Nizam began by declaring that SMJ 1.0, covering 2021 to 2025, had achieved 94% implementation.
“As of May 2025, the overall achievement rate of the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan Initiative Report prepared by the SMJ Secretariat is 94% out of 467 initiatives. A total of 366 initiatives have achieved a 100 per cent score,” he said.
When detailing progress by focus area — economic growth, human capital, and people’s well-being, as asked by Nabawan assemblyman Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohd Yassin — Nizam launched into an expansive speech that touched on paddy insurance, livestock output, aquaculture tanks, foreign investments, hotel construction timelines, and tourism receipts.
He continued with lists of school aid, dialysis machines, water treatment projects, electricity supply plans, forest conservation efforts, and annual revenue growth figures.
This prompted Warisan president and opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal stood up to interject half and hour into Nizam’s respond.
“…If possible, this is still the first question. It’s been almost half an hour. We only have until eleven-thirty.
“Many questions have been raised. If possible, give the rest of the reply in writing, because this is more like a winding-up (speech).
“Is this a winding-up or an answer? Are you finishing already? If possible, just answer the question.
“Thank you, explain so the people are not confused by inaccurate claims against the government today.”
“I understand the rules… I know, but I just wish to remind, as the opposition leader. We have a limited time. Eleven-thirty is the time,” he said.
The Speaker responded and advised Nizam to shorten his reply to which Nizam said, “I’m almost to the end.”
Nizam’s exchange resumed when a supplementary question was raised on renewable energy by the Nabawan assemblyman from GRS.
Nizam again did not provide specific figures or project updates.
Instead, he spoke about public engagement and support for the ruling coalition’s future plans.
“So what is the important lesson we can take from SMJ 1.0 to improve SMJ 2.0?”
“Actually, the importance is in full community involvement at every level of planning and implementation.”
“Past experience has shown that the success of any policy or programme depends on the support, understanding, and acceptance of the people… SMJ 1.0 has actually put Sabah back on the right and proper track.”
“This is not something I say on my own… but has been acknowledged by those who are professionals, who have credibility… who recognise that the government under GRS-PH today has placed Sabah in the right position — and should be supported by all Sabahans,” he said.
SMJ 1.0, Key takeaways at a Glance - Overall Implementation
• 94% of 467 initiatives under SMJ 1.0 have been implemented.
• 366 initiatives achieved 100% completion as of May 2025.
Economic Growth
• Sabah’s GDP grew from RM77.8 billion (2020) to RM84.3 billion (2024).
• Trade value crossed RM100 billion for three consecutive years since 2022.
• RM35.38 billion in total investments approved from 2021–2024 (420 projects).
• RM10.9 billion in investments approved in Q1 2025 alone.
• Tourist arrivals (2021–2024): 7.85 million visitors, generating RM16.84 billion in spending.
• New industrial parks planned in Kudat, Kota Belud/Kota Marudu, and Beaufort/Kimanis.
Human Capital
• RM1.33 billion spent on human capital programmes from 2021–2024:
• RM848.26 million for education aid.
• RM485 million for broader training and development.
• 14 new education initiatives introduced, benefiting 210,918 students.
• Sabah State TVET Council (MTS) set up in May 2025 to coordinate over 160 training institutes.
People’s Well-Being
• RM1.49 billion in welfare funds distributed to 336,076 recipients.
• Program SYUKUR offers RM300 per month aid to 100,000 low-income Sabahans (RM358.5 million allocation).
• 1,169 recipients benefited from the Homeward repatriation programme.
• 7,482 Rumah Mesra SMJ housing units built or in progress.
Infrastructure
• RM4.89 billion allocated by the Works Ministry (2021–2024).
• Road network expanded by 982 km to reach 22,858 km in 2024.
• Treated water capacity increased from 1,505 MLD (2021) to 1,630 MLD (2024).
• Water loss (NRW) reduced from 60 percent to 52 percent by 2024.
• Electricity outages (SAIDI) cut from 332 minutes (2021) to 207 minutes (2024).
• 11 power generation projects (1,219 MW) approved, to be completed between 2025 and 2031.
Green and Marine Sustainability
• 2 million hectares gazetted as Totally Protected Areas (TPA).
• Target: 2.2 million hectares (30 percent of Sabah’s land area) by 2025.
• Marine Protected Areas span 1.015 million hectares, with plans to expand.
State Revenue
• RM26.224 billion in total revenue collected from 2021 to 2024.
• Annual breakdown:
• 2020: RM3.591 billion
• 2021: RM5.449 billion
• 2022: RM6.960 billion
• 2023: RM6.973 billion
• 2024: RM6.842 billion
• Growth partly driven by the Commercial Collaboration Agreement with PETRONAS. - July 8, 2025
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