Kota kinabalu: The Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) has finalized nine Master Plan and Feasibility Study reports to guide the planning and implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the 2026-2030 period. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced that these plans aim to further develop underdeveloped regions, including the Economic Development Study of the Sabah Border Area, which has identified four catalyst projects and 27 proposed projects.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Master Plan Study of the Food Valley in the Interior of Sabah involves the regions of Keningau, Tambunan, Tenom, Tongod, and Nabawan, covering an expanse of 2.3 million hectares. The Chief Minister shared this information after leading a SEDIA meeting at Menara Kinabalu.
Hajiji noted that SEDIA has received RM3.7 billion in allocations from the federal government since its inception, starting with the 9MP. This includes RM646.3 million approved through the Ministry of Economy during the 12MP. He expressed appreciation for the federal government's ongoing commitment in the 13MP to enhance development balance in lagging regions by exploring corridor development and specialized production hubs to tap into local economic potentials.
The Chief Minister highlighted SEDIA's commendable achievements in implementing key development projects under the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) initiative. This is supported by the 'Achievement Outcome of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) Project 9th to 11th Malaysia Plan' Report.
Additionally, Hajiji indicated that SEDIA has been tasked with executing the MADANI initiative, which includes 1,230 projects in the 12MP valued at RM102.3 million. These projects focus on Poverty Eradication, People Centric, People's Amenities Initiative, and People's Income Initiative.
"SEDIA's track record of successful project implementation from the 9MP to the 12MP demonstrates the agency's capability to expedite the implementation process and evaluate the impact in Sabah, a strategically significant and potential-rich state," Hajiji stated.