Sabah Adopts Balanced Growth Model, Demands Fair Economic Value For Conservation
KOTA KINABALU, May 25 (Bernama) -- The Sabah state government is adopting a balanced growth model that demands fair economic value for its environmental contributions, while rejecting unrealistic environmental idealism that could delay the state’s socioeconomic progress.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the state will continue to act as a responsible custodian of the environment, while remaining firm in defending the economic future of its people.
He emphasised that while Sabah does not want reckless development, it also does not want an unrealistic green transition.
“If Sabah continues to carry major environmental responsibility for the nation, then how does Sabah receive fair economic value from that contribution?” he asked, speaking at the World Green and Sustainability Summit here today.
Present Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah Tun Musa Aman, Cambodian Senior Minister Dr Chhem Kieth Rethy, and KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific chairman Tan Sri Majid Khan.
Hajiji explained that conservation carries an economic opportunity cost, noting that when land is preserved and forests are protected, the state forgoes potential revenue.
He added that the immense value of ecosystems absorbing carbon and supporting biodiversity benefits Malaysia, the region, and the world, rather than Sabah alone.
“Therefore, the new global sustainability conversation must be centred on fairness, encompassing fair value, fair recognition, and fair investment. Sabah must evolve into a place that actively benefits from natural capital, rather than merely contributing to it,” he said.
Touching on future economic development, the chief minister highlighted that Sabah is moving into a phase of “conservation with value”.
He said this involves transitioning from merely protecting natural resources to building responsible industries around them and becoming a green economy leader.
This strategic shift, Hajiji pointed out, includes developing credible carbon markets, sustainable agriculture, the blue economy, eco-tourism, and biodiversity-based innovation.
He also emphasised the absolute necessity of ensuring the integration of local companies, workers, and communities into this new green value chain.
Addressing the state’s energy security, Hajiji said that energy is fundamentally an economic and long-term security issue that requires a balanced and practical mix.
He said this is crucial as Sabah, still a developing state, continues to expand its industrial capacity, create jobs, and strengthen its infrastructure.
Guided by the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040, he said that clean technologies such as solar, hydro, biomass, and biogas will continue to expand to provide reliable, accessible, and affordable energy.
Noting that almost 30 per cent of Sabah’s landmass is already designated as Totally Protected Areas (TPA), the chief minister warned that any green transition that is too expensive for ordinary families or weakens local competitiveness is ultimately unsustainable.
“For Sabah, sustainability must be practical. It must be fair. It must be affordable and above all, it must serve the people,” he said.
-- BERNAMA