KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s true progress cannot be measured solely by physical development, economic growth or technological advancement, but must also be accompanied by the development of people who possess knowledge, integrity, good character and a sense of responsibility towards society.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said lessons from the life of Prophet Muhammad SAW showed that the development of a society must be comprehensive, by strengthening brotherhood, safeguarding the welfare of the community and placing the principle of justice at the foundation of communal life.
He said the concept of rahmatan lil ‘alamin brought by Prophet Muhammad SAW carries a very broad meaning, encompassing compassion, justice, wisdom, tolerance, trustworthiness and respect for human dignity.
“The Prophet demonstrated that the strength of leadership lies not merely in authority, but in the ability to build trust, uphold justice and bring benefits to society,” he said in his speech at the Sabah State-Level Maulidur Rasul SAW Celebration 1448H/2026M at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here today.
Hajiji said that in the context of Sabah, the State Government remains committed to ensuring that development brings the widest possible benefits to the people and is inclusive, taking into account the interests of communities in both urban and rural areas.
“We want to build a state that is not only advanced economically and in terms of development, but also has a society with strong moral values, high integrity and close bonds among its people,” he said.
In this regard, he said the values exemplified by Prophet Muhammad SAW, such as trustworthiness, justice, perseverance, compassion and concern for others, must continue to serve as inspiration in carrying out every responsibility entrusted to us.
“For civil servants, trust must be translated into efficient, transparent and high-integrity service delivery. For leaders, trust means placing the interests of the people as the priority, while for society, it is reflected through responsible conduct, respect for the law and working together to preserve peace and harmony in the state,” he said.
Hajiji said Sabah, with its multi-racial, multi-religious and multicultural society, must continue to preserve its diversity as a strength and as the foundation of the state’s unity and harmony.
“I call on all the people to continue safeguarding the spirit of unity and harmony that has long been Sabah’s strength. Differences in views, beliefs or backgrounds must not cause our relationships with one another to become strained. Instead, we should focus on what unites us, cultivate mature dialogue and resolve differences with wisdom,” he said.
He said peace and stability are prerequisites for development because without unity, all planned development agendas would become more difficult to realise.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister stressed that the role of the younger generation must not be sidelined in determining the future of the state, particularly as they face rapid developments in technology, artificial intelligence, the explosion of information and social change.
He said young people must be equipped not only with education and skills, but also with a strong sense of identity and good character, while making use of social media and digital technology to acquire knowledge, develop skills, improve productivity and spread beneficial content.
“We must avoid the culture of spreading unverified information, slander, insults and content that can damage morals and relationships within society,” he said.
Hajiji said the character demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad SAW in guarding his speech, respecting others and conveying the truth with wisdom should serve as a guide in all interactions, including in the digital world.
“We want to produce a generation of young Sabahans who are knowledgeable, skilled and competitive, while at the same time possessing a strong sense of identity, high moral values and a sense of responsibility towards religion, society, the state and the nation,” he said.
In conjunction with the celebration, he called on Muslims in Sabah to strengthen their love for Prophet Muhammad SAW by translating it into action, including fostering love within the family, carrying out responsibilities with honesty, helping those in hardship and maintaining good relations with others.
Hajiji said that if the noble values exemplified by Prophet Muhammad SAW are practised in the lives of individuals, families and communities, as well as in administration and development, Sabah can be built into a more developed, peaceful, prosperous state blessed by Allah SWT.-pr/BNN
