SMJ Secretariat Responds Swiftly to Industry Feedback with New Task Force

20 January 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Secretariat, operating under the Chief Minister’s Department, has received widespread praise from the local business and industry sectors following a productive Forum and Townhall on the future of Sabah’s economic development, held in Tuaran, recently.

The event supported by the Malaysia Digital Chamber of Commerce, Malaysia Venture Capital & Private Equity Association, and The Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (PEMUDAH) – Financial Services Technical Working Group, marked a significant step in engaging stakeholders on SMJ 2.0 (2026–2030). 

The half-day session brought together representatives from key industry associations, chambers of commerce, professional bodies, youth entrepreneurs, SMEs, and policymakers. The aim was to gather structured feedback on Sabah’s economic priorities for the next five years, focusing on private sector competitiveness, youth entrepreneurship, digital economy, talent development, regulatory processes, and investment readiness. 

Participants praised the open and consultative format, which fostered frank dialogue between the government and the business community. Industry leaders highlighted the need for stronger policy coordination across agencies, faster regulatory approval processes for investors and SMEs, clearer pathways for digital initiatives and innovation, and a more structured public-private partnership mechanism to ensure ongoing progress and accountability under SMJ 2.0. 

The outcomes of the townhall will be officially documented and publicly launched by Sabah’s Chief Minister on 30 January 2026. 

While the long-term vision for Sabah remains clear, stakeholders stressed that the speed of execution and cross-agency coordination will be crucial in delivering tangible results over the coming years. 

In a swift response to the feedback, the SMJ Secretariat announced the immediate formation of a dedicated Task Force Committee. This move demonstrates a strong commitment to proactive and action-oriented governance. The Task Force will focus on consolidating industry concerns, translating feedback into concrete policy actions, facilitating inter-agency collaboration, and maintaining ongoing engagement with industry representatives throughout the 2026–2030 period. 

Industry participants welcomed the prompt initiative, viewing it as a positive sign of administrative agility and political will. They emphasised that timely follow-through is vital for maintaining investor confidence and encouraging private sector participation. 

The proactive approach by the SMJ Secretariat was broadly seen as strengthening trust between Sabah’s government and its business community. Participants noted that the willingness to listen, respond, and establish structured follow-up mechanisms reflects a maturing governance approach aligned with Sabah’s broader development ambitions. 

The forum and townhall reaffirmed a shared commitment between government and industry to collaboratively build a resilient, competitive, and inclusive Sabah economy, with the new Task Force expected to play a pivotal role over the next five years.