Renamed Ministries Highlight Sabah Government’s Commitment to Progress: Ghulam

15 December 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The renaming of several ministries in Sabah’s new Cabinet underscores the government’s dedication to driving the state’s development in step with global trends.

Datuk Sri Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, Member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Kawang, described the expansion and modernisation of ministerial portfolios as a necessary response to global challenges.

Among the most notable are the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology & Innovation; the Ministry of Youth Development, Sports & Creative Economy; and the Ministry of Women, Health & Community Wellbeing.

He said the changes would help cultivate future leaders and build a generation capable of driving Sabah forward.

“This is where the Sabah Foundation Group becomes a strategic partner, uniting and supporting efforts to achieve these goals.

The close collaboration between the relevant ministries will undoubtedly strengthen the role of the Sabah Foundation Group in education, health programmes and community wellbeing initiatives,” he said.

Speaking during the debate on the 2026 Budget in the State Legislative Assembly, Ghulam also expressed hope in the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hj Hajiji Hj Noor to find the best solutions regarding the state’s 40 per cent revenue rights.

“The Chief Minister’s strong relationship with Putrajaya, particularly the Prime Minister, gives us confidence that the 40 per cent revenue issue will be resolved more smoothly.

The government’s position is clear in welcoming the High Court’s decision affirming Sabah’s constitutional rights to the Special Grant of 40 per cent under Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution,” he said.

He noted that the mechanisms currently being developed are expected to run more smoothly due to the close cooperation between the state and federal governments.

Ghulam also agreed with several other ADUNs that, wherever possible, no further appeals should be made by the federal government.

In addition, he raised several local issues in the Kawang constituency to be addressed by the relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

These include the need to upgrade the ageing water pipeline system in Kinarut, with specific allocations in the 2026 Budget to improve key areas of the water network.

Another issue is the proposal to resolve flooding in areas within the Kawang constituency through a comprehensive master drainage plan.