Sabah and Sarawak economic development requires specialized strategies

Economic leaders and officials are emphasizing the need for specialized development strategies for Sabah and Sarawak to ensure sustainable growth and inclusive prosperity.

At the launch of the 1st Borneo International Congress For Business, Education, Economics and Management (BICBEEM 2026) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor highlighted the importance of strengthening the knowledge ecosystem and cooperation between government, academia, and industry. He suggested using Borneo as a ‘living laboratory’ for research in areas such as digital transformation, smart agriculture, and rural economic development.

Economist Dr. Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid noted that development in East Malaysia must shift from upstream activities to more complex downstream sectors, particularly in oil and gas and agrotechnology, to generate higher economic value and productivity.

Additionally, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Ewon Benedick called for the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak perspectives within the national Bumiputera economic agenda. He argued that policies should not be oriented solely toward Peninsular Malaysia and must account for the unique historical, constitutional, and economic profiles of East Malaysian Bumiputera communities, specifically addressing poverty and the needs of micro, small, and medium enterprises.