KOTA KINABALU: The State Government welcomed the launching of the Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (BICAM) in the pursuit of excellence
in professional services and the promotion of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the
Borneo region.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said that through training,
education, and professional development programmes, local legal professionals will be
equipped with the necessary tools to excel in the field of ADR, further reinforcing the
Bornean States as leading destinations for legal services in the region.
“I am heartened to know that BICAM has the objective of positioning itself as a leading
hub for international arbitration and mediation, serving not only the Borneo region but
also the broader Nusantara and BIMP-EAGA regions.
“The establishment of BICAM signifies our commitment to fostering a conducive
environment for resolving commercial disputes efficiently and cost-effectively,” he said
at the launching of BICAM at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here
today.
His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister I/Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Food Industry Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
“I assure you that the Sabah State Government will, through her Ministries,
Departments, and Government-Linked Companies (GLCs), support BICAM’s efforts.
“By involving local and international arbitrators and mediators, we can build a diverse
and skilled panel of experts, further enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of the
centre, seeing that the council overseeing BICAM will comprise heads of professional
bodies across the region, hence ensuring a shared vision and effective governance for
the centre’s operations,” he said.
Hajiji said BICAM is a testament to the State’s commitment to human capital
development, a key component of the State’s development roadmap, the Hala Tuju
Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ).
“By creating a centre of excellence, we aim to nurture competitive, skilled, and high-
quality human capital within our region,” he said.
Hajiji also urged BICAM to emulate the achievements of renowned institutions such as
the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and the Hong Kong International
Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), whose success stories have attracted substantial foreign
direct investments.
“With the existence of BICAM, Sabah anticipate a spill-over effect, where the
development of this centre will stimulate growth in various industries. As we position
Sabah as a services hub for ADR and banking, we envision a thriving ecosystem that
supports lawyers, arbitrators, and mediators, creating employment opportunities and
driving economic progress for our communities.
“The various capacity-building initiatives in the pipeline also serve as a stimulus to
empower our community towards self-sustainability and greater access to global
opportunities,” he said.
He also commended the efforts of the Chairman of BICAM, Tan Sri David Wong, who
has been instrumental in driving and supporting the centre’s establishment.-pr/BNN
