RMK-12 Drives Significant Development in Sabah's Tourism, Culture, and Environment Sectors

27 February 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The tourism industry in Sabah recorded positive growth of 20.4% last year compared to 2023, with a total of 3,147,480 visitor arrivals, exceeding the target of 3 million set for 2024. The projected tourism receipts for 2024 are RM7.28 billion, which is RM1.52 billion higher than in 2023 (RM5.76 billion).

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS) Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew said the recovery in 2024 reached 75% of pre-pandemic levels, driven by domestic markets and regional countries such as China and Brunei.

Speaking during a ceremony to present the 2024 Excellence In Service Awards (APC) of KEPKAS and Its Departments/Agencies, she said the total international arrivals have rebounded to 86% of pre-pandemic figures, with target markets like China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, India, and Europe also exhibiting positive growth.

Acknowledging the agencies under her Ministry, she said, “The Sabah State Cultural Board (LKNS) successfully implemented various high-impact initiatives throughout 2024, including the Sabah Integrated Cultural Mapping Project (2024-2025), which integrates ethnic databases.”

“The fourth Sabah Ethnic Day continues to foster cooperation among ethnic associations, while the Annual State Premier's Arts Gala provides a platform to promote local artistic talent. These efforts further solidify Sabah's position as a dynamic cultural heritage hub.”

“The Sabah Museum Department has successfully added 15,400 new collections and registered 960 data entries into the Sabah Museum Repository Information Cultural Heritage System (SMRICHES). Museum programmes involving exhibitions, advisory services, and outreach initiatives to schools have been carried out throughout 2024,” she said adding that in terms of physical development, significant progress has been made on the renovations of the Agnes Keith House, Heritage Village, and the Batu Tulug Cave Museum.

“For Sabah Parks, in support of the 30 x 30 Kunming-Montreal biodiversity framework, several proposals for new park establishments have been approved by the State Government, including in Darvel Bay (126,475.16 hectares), Mantanani (160,975 hectares), Mengalum Island (624,316 hectares), and Mamut (2,112 hectares). These efforts demonstrate the Ministry's ongoing commitment to conservation and protecting more natural ecosystems in Sabah.”

She also said that the Sabah Wildlife Department has made strides in conservation efforts, having appointed 179 Community Rangers under the Biodiversity Patrolling and Protection (BP3) programme.

“The year 2024 saw the implementation of a 10-year Action Plan to Combat Wildlife Crime, specifically targeting illegal elephant and pangolin poaching.”

“Population studies of elephants, orangutans, and proboscis monkeys have also been conducted to ensure the survival of these species. Events such as World Pangolin Day and World Elephant Day have been organised to raise public awareness about wildlife preservation. However, challenges such as human-wildlife conflict and habitat fragmentation still require long-term solutions and will continue to be a focus for the department,” she shared.

Liew went on to say that the State Government is committed to implementing the transfer of scheduled waste management from the Federal Government by 2026 under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). The Department of Environmental Protection is currently working to amend legislation, establish guidelines, develop monitoring systems, and provide training for officials to support this agenda.

“We are now in the final year of the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), and the achievements of the tourism, culture, and environment sectors under this plan have significantly impacted the development of Sabah. Therefore, we must comprehensively evaluate these achievements and formulate stronger plans for RMK-13 to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of high-impact programmes and projects in these sectors under the Ministry.

“In transitioning to RMK-13, KePKAS will focus on implementing high-impact programmes and projects to strengthen the tourism industry, elevate culture, and enhance environmental conservation agendas. Initiatives such as improving tourism infrastructure, preserving cultural heritage, and protecting the environment will continue to be intensified to ensure the sustainability of the development efforts in Sabah.”

“I urge all departments and agencies under the Ministry to continue playing a vital role in enhancing the tourism, culture, and environmental conservation sectors in Sabah. Every plan developed for implementation in 2025 should be translated into clear and high-impact Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and must be formulated to ensure timely execution as scheduled.”

During the event, 45 individuals from the agencies under KePKAS and the Ministry were recognised with the Excellent Service Award, while five deserving individuals were also accorded the Special Awards for Permanent Secretaries.