SABAH has invited serious investors to establish long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships as the state accelerates its transition into a diversified and sustainable economy anchored by responsible investment and environmental stewardship.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Sabah's economy had undergone a significant transformation from one largely dependent on primary industries into a more diversified economic powerhouse, making it essential to attract investors capable of delivering tangible and lasting outcomes.
"As we align with Malaysia's broader economic objectives, our commitment to growth remains unwavering. Sabah is open for business," he said in his keynote address at the Sabah Asia-Pacific Impact Investing for Sustainable Development Summit at the Magellan Sutera Resort on Monday.
His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister II and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
Hajiji said the summit was held at a crucial time, providing an important platform for policymakers, investors and industry leaders to explore the growing role of impact investing in advancing sustainable development.
"We recognise that impact investing, at its core, means deploying capital into investments that generate measurable social and environmental benefits alongside a financial return.
"Sabah looks forward to investors who can blend expertise, experience and funding to advance inclusive, social and ecological development with real results," he said.
He described the summit as a significant milestone in Sabah's ambition to become one of the Asia-Pacific region's leading centres for sustainable development and impact investing.
Highlighting the state's environmental credentials, Hajiji said Sabah had embraced sustainable development long before it became a global priority by protecting its forests, marine ecosystems, wildlife and biodiversity.
"Sabah has contributed, not only in words but through policy, land stewardship and real sacrifice.
"Today, we are proud that almost 30 per cent of Sabah's landmass is under Totally Protected Areas. We also maintain our status as a net carbon sink (carbon-negative state) based on greenhouse gas inventory data, supported by the significant forested areas that strengthen the nation's carbon-absorption capacity.
"Our inclusive forest management approach, built with local communities, enables us to strike a balance between environmental conservation and the socio-economic wellbeing of our people. Step outside and you will feel it. Sabah's heart and soul are rooted in our natural heritage. It is who we are," he said.
Despite these achievements, Hajiji stressed that Sabah's development priorities remained pressing, particularly in improving public infrastructure and raising living standards.
"We need better roads, more reliable electricity, cleaner water and greater economic opportunity. Our people require tangible improvements in livelihoods. And we are clear: we cannot pursue growth that sacrifices the environment on which we depend in the long term.
"The question before us is not sustainability or development. It is how we build and practise an unexplored model where sustainability becomes the engine of real economic growth.
"That is the theme of this summit and it is both the central challenge and the central opportunity for my administration," he said.
Hajiji said the Asia-Pacific region was entering a period of strong economic expansion driven by rapid urbanisation, technological innovation and growing investment opportunities, positioning it as a focal point for global capital.
"The world is looking to Asia-Pacific not only for economic potential, but also for thought leadership in key sectors such as technology, green energy and sustainable development.
"Forums like this summit provide the ideal platform for industry leaders to forge global collaborations and introduce transformative solutions," he said.
The Chief Minister also expressed appreciation to George Town Institute of Open and Advanced Studies (GIOAS) at Wawasan Open University chairman Tan Sri Andrew Sheng and his team for jointly organising the summit with the Sabah Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment.
He said strategic collaborations between government, academia and the private sector would be instrumental in positioning Sabah as a regional leader in sustainable investment while ensuring economic growth delivers lasting benefits for communities and the environment. - July 14, 2026
