TAWAU: Youth are no longer merely the future heirs to leadership but instead they are now idea generators, economic drivers, innovation leaders, community leaders and strategic partners of the Government in shaping Sabah’s development, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
He said the development of a state does not depend solely on the richness of its natural resources or physical progress, but is determined by the quality of its people, particularly the younger generation who are the main drivers of the state’s advancement.
In this regard, he urged Sabah’s youth to continue equipping themselves with high-level skills, master the latest technologies and cultivate strong integrity to ensure they are able to compete in the future economic landscape.
“Do not be afraid to venture into new fields such as digital entrepreneurship, the green economy and innovation, which are capable of creating employment opportunities for yourselves and your local communities,” he said when officiating at the Sabah Youth Carnival in conjunction with the 2026 National Youth Day Celebration at the Tawau Sports Complex on Saturday.
His speech was delivered by the State Minister of Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy, Datuk Haji Nizam Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Abu Bakar Titingan.
Hajiji said the State Government has consistently placed youth development among its top priorities in every development plan, particularly as Sabah enters a new phase through the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 for the 2026–2030 period.
According to him, the development roadmap not only builds on the achievements of Sabah Maju Jaya 1.0 but also serves as the foundation for strengthening the state’s economy, accelerating infrastructure development, enhancing the people’s well-being and empowering human capital towards making Sabah a progressive, inclusive and resilient state.
He said the Government would continue ensuring that the voices and needs of young people are always taken into account through various policies and initiatives aimed at strengthening youth leadership and preparing them to face future challenges.
Hajiji said the State Government would continue investing in human capital development through various initiatives involving access to education, skills training, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), talent development, leadership building and more inclusive entrepreneurship opportunities.
He said the State Government has so far continued implementing the 14 educational assistance initiatives introduced since 2021 to ensure more Sabah students have access to quality education without being burdened by financial constraints.
He said the Government is also placing emphasis on TVET development, particularly in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the digital economy, automation, renewable energy, green technology, the oil and gas industry, aerospace, maritime, tourism, modern agriculture and the creative economy, all of which offer broad career opportunities for the younger generation.
Touching on the launch of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Youth Volunteers, Hajiji said the initiative is not merely a programme but a movement that brings together the aspirations, potential and ambitions of Sabah’s young people to produce youth who are more competitive, skilled, possess integrity, innovative and imbued with a strong spirit of volunteerism.
“I hope the SMJ Youth Volunteers will become a platform for producing outstanding young leaders who are people-oriented, uphold the spirit of unity and possess a strong sense of responsibility to jointly develop the state that we love.
“We want Sabah’s youth to be recognised for their achievements, the values they uphold and the significant contributions they make to the state, the nation and the world,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the culture of volunteerism would continue to be
strengthened among the youth, as Sabah frequently faces various challenges, including natural disasters, climate change and social issues, all of which require a spirit of mutual assistance regardless of race, religion or background.
At the same time, the Chief Minister called on the youth to continue serving as a bridge of unity that brings communities together, preserves harmony and resists external influences that could threaten the state’s peace and stability.-pr/BNN
