Sedia completes 9 studies to guide 13MP implementation

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 25): The Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) has completed nine Master Plan and Feasibility Study reports to guide the planning and implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan.

Its chairman Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said these plans were prepared to continue development programmes and projects in lagging regions.

“This includes the Sabah Border Economic Development Study, which proposed four catalytic projects and 27 additional projects.

“Another study is the Sabah Interior Food Valley Master Plan covering Keningau, Tambunan, Tenom, Tongod and Nabawan, which involves a land area of 2.3 million hectares,” he said when chairing a Sedia meeting at Menara Kinabalu here yesterday.

Hajiji noted the agency had received a total allocation of RM3.7 billion from the federal government since its establishment up to 12MP, and welcomed the federal government’s continued commitment under the 13MP to enhance balanced progress and development in less developed regions.

He noted that Sedia’s track record in implementing projects successfully from the 9MP to 12MP proved it was an agency capable of accelerating implementation processes and conducting impact assessments in Sabah.

“Nation-building can only enjoy harmony if development between less developed and rapidly developing regions is balanced. This gap must be narrowed to prevent regions from being left behind. If necessary, catching up strategies or shortcut approaches can be applied through policy restructuring and decisive action.

“The focus should not be overly centred on immediate Return on Investment, but every sen spent will yield returns to the government through tax collection.

“All parties will benefit and ultimately contribute to the national treasure, in addition to creating social impacts such as employment and small businesses,” he said.