Sabah Wins 2024 The IBR ASEAN Award as “Most Outstanding Malaysian State”
(Kota Kinabalu) — Under the leadership of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, the Sabah State Government has been recognized for its excellence in governance, development achievements, and commitment to public welfare. Sabah has emerged as the winner of the “Most Outstanding Malaysian State for the Year 2024” at The IBR ASEAN Awards 2025!
The award selection was led by consulting firm Expert Advisors, which conducted extensive data analysis and compiled a comprehensive four-page case study for each nominee. These were reviewed by The IBR ASEAN Awards judging panel, which ultimately selected Sabah as the most exemplary Malaysian state. This marks the first time the awards have expanded to recognize state governments, reflecting the increasing importance of regional leadership in national and ASEAN development.
The IBR ASEAN Awards ceremony will be held on July 19, 2025, at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu, with the theme “Reimagining ASEAN.” As Malaysia prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, the event will gather influential leaders from both the public and private sectors across the region. Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor will officiate the prestigious event.
[Reform-Driven Development: Sabah Named “Most Outstanding State”]
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Hajiji, the Sabah State Government has implemented the “Sabah Maju Jaya” (SMJ) development blueprint, charting a clear strategic direction and delivering impactful policies aligned with the state’s core governance principles: protecting Sabah’s rights, ensuring integrity and efficiency, promoting inclusive prosperity, and preserving unity.
Sabah’s key achievements across various sectors include:
- Increased Federal Special Grant: From RM26 million in 2022 to RM600 million in 2025.
- Oil & Gas Empowerment: Signed a Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA) with PETRONAS, earning over RM3 billion in 2023.
- Investment Surge: Foreign investments rose sharply from RM132 million in 2023 to over RM1 billion in 2024.
- Manufacturing Growth: Industry grew by 4.4% in 2023 — the highest nationwide and a strong recovery from a 2.5% decline in 2022.
- Agricultural Support: Over RM33 million allocated by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry in 2024 for livestock programs, crop processing centers, rice field restoration, coffee factory development, and high-value crops.
- Tourism Resilience: International tourist arrivals and revenue grew by approximately 47%, showing strong post-pandemic recovery.
- Environmental Protection: Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) increased from 12% in 2007 to 27% in 2024 — nearing the global biodiversity target of 30%.
- Affordable Housing: The SMJ Friendly Housing Program expanded from 20 units per constituency to 40, covering all 73 state constituencies.
- Education Investment: RM470 million allocated in 2024 to boost education through scholarships, grants, and capacity building.
- Cultural Preservation: Indigenous cultures actively promoted; native courts elevated to equal standing with modern judiciary.
- Infrastructure Progress: The Pan-Borneo Highway resumed in 2020, boosting connectivity and enabling key infrastructure projects like dams.
- Rural Electrification: Coverage reached 96.83%, with full coverage targeted by 2030.
[Negeri Sembilan Named “Most Progressive State”]
Negeri Sembilan was honored as the “Most Progressive Malaysian State for the Year 2024” in recognition of its balanced industrial and agricultural development strategies.
Led by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin, the state is guided by the “Negeri Sembilan Structural Plan 2045” and “Malaysia Vision Valley 2.0 (MVV 2.0),” aiming to position Negeri Sembilan as a global economic player.
Currently, the state boasts one of the country’s most mature industrial ecosystems, with over 60 industrial parks and more than 900 companies from 20+ countries, achieving a 90% occupancy rate.
MVV 2.0 is projected to contribute 15% of Malaysia’s GDP and create over 600,000 jobs. The state also promotes urban agriculture to strengthen national food security through its Structural Plan 2045.
[International Recognition with an ASEAN Focus]
The success stories of Sabah and Negeri Sembilan will be featured in a commemorative edition of the International Business Review, a respected publication in the global business community. The upcoming award ceremony will not only celebrate achievements but also serve as a strategic platform for regional collaboration and dialogue among ASEAN political and business leaders.
VOICE OF ASIA Editorial Note
At VOICE OF ASIA, we believe in amplifying the real voices of the people – especially those too often overlooked in national discourse. This translated article, originally published by Sin Chew, highlights a perspective from Sabah that resonates with our editorial mission: to go beyond headlines and politics, and shine a light on what truly matters to everyday Malaysians.
The original version can be found here.
