KOTA KINABALU: Sabah continues to make history by being named Malaysia’s Most Outstanding State for 2024 at The IBR ASEAN Awards 2025, organized by the International Business Review (IBR).
The award was publicly announced by the IBR ASEAN Awards Secretariat, alongside Negeri Sembilan, which was named Malaysia’s Most Progressive State for 2024. This recognition was based on evaluations by a Panel of Professional Judges, comprising prominent figures from diverse fields, supported by data from comprehensive assessments conducted by Expert Advisors.
For the first time, the awards extended recognition to state governments, acknowledging exceptional leadership and accomplishments at the state level—alongside corporate achievements.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Sabah received the highest honor for implementing the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development framework, which centers on four pillars: championing Sabah’s rights, leading with integrity and efficiency, fostering development aligned with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, and maintaining unity among Sabah’s diverse communities.
Key achievements contributing to this recognition include:
– An increase in Federal special grants from RM26 million in 2022 to RM600 million in 2025.
– A substantial stake in oil and gas revenues from the Commercial Cooperation Agreement (CCA) with PETRONAS, yielding over RM3 billion in 2023.
– Foreign investments soaring from RM132 million in 2023 to over RM1 billion in 2024.
– A 47% rise in foreign tourist arrivals, boosting tourism revenue.
– Progress on the Pan-Borneo Highway project linking major cities and rural areas.
Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, Chief Judge of the awards, highlighted Sabah’s potential in economic development and environmental sustainability. He noted increased foreign investment interest, with investments rising from RM132.7 million in 2023 to RM1.07 billion in 2024, and praised the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park’s (KKIP) record-high occupancy rate of 90% with 288 active investors. Sabah also achieved the highest manufacturing sector growth rate in Malaysia at 4.4% in 2023.
Azman emphasized the state’s focus on human capital development and environmental conservation, with 62% of Sabah’s land (4.6 million hectares) declared free of logging, as part of long-term sustainability strategies.
The official awards ceremony will be held on July 19, 2025, at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu. Chief Minister Hajiji Noor is expected to attend as an honorary guest at the theme REIMAGINING ASEAN, honoring Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2025.
Congratulations to Chief Minister YAB Hajiji Hj Noor and his cabinet for their exemplary leadership and dedication to Sabah’s progress.-pr/BNN
