Sabah Investment Plan to be Submitted as Input for SMJ 2.0 Direction: Ewon

8 December 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The proposed Sabah Investment Plan (SIP) by Invest Sabah will be presented to the Ministry of Industry , Entrepreneur and Transport before being submitted as an official input to the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 (SMJ 2.0) development plan.

Its Minister who is also the Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick, said SIP outlines a clear roadmap to position Sabah as a competitive investment destination over the next five years (2025–2030).

“I welcome Invest Sabah’s proposal to present the SIP, and I further propose that it be adopted as ministry input for inclusion in the SMJ 2.0 direction."

“This is important to ensure that the state’s investment agenda moves in tandem with Sabah’s broader economic development goals,” he told reporters after a working visit to Invest Sabah at Plaza Shell here today.

A briefing on Invest Sabah’s role in promoting Sabah’s investment potential to both domestic and international investors was delivered by Invest Sabah Chief Executive Officer, Dr Firdausi Suffian.

Ewon also shared the ministry’s vision, including plans for investment promotion programmes in various global markets—not only focusing on China, but also Southeast Asia, Europe and other strategic destinations.

He added that the investment promotion roles between Invest Sabah and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) must be harmonised so that both agencies have clear scopes, particularly in the development of the state’s industrial parks.

“I intend to initiate discussions so that Invest Sabah is given full space to carry out investment promotion, while SEDIA focuses specifically on infrastructure development and investment support within industrial parks,” he said.

He said the approach must be implemented in parallel with efforts to promote existing industrial zones and expand coverage to other districts that do not yet have industrial parks.

“Investment entering Sabah must not be concentrated only in the industrial parks in Kota Kinabalu, Sipitang, Lahad Datu, Kota Belud, Kudat and Kimanis. We want investment spillover to reach all of Sabah,” he said.

Ewon also emphasised his commitment to working closely with federal ministries, including the Ministry of International Trade, to ensure Sabah continues to be promoted as a major investment destination in Malaysia.

Regarding the briefing, Ewon said that beyond gaining deeper insight into Invest Sabah’s current initiatives, he also shared his direction and aspirations for the Ministry of Industry Entrepreneur and Transport.

“I am confident that Invest Sabah will continue to contribute to efforts to attract investments into Sabah, whether domestic or foreign."

“I hope the Sabah First team at Invest Sabah will continue to be strengthened to deliver high-quality services to stakeholders,” he said.

Also present during the visit were Assistant Minister of Industry, Entrepreneur and Transport, Datuk Jonnybone J. Kurum; the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk Thomas Logijin; as well as officers from the ministry and Invest Sabah.