Hajiji: Sabah's community-based tourism contributes RM7m in 2024, boosts rural economy
Hajiji highlighted that CoBT contributed RM7 million to Sabah's economy in 2024, up from RM6.7 million in 2023, with 18 districts actively participating in the model.
'Community-based tourism has proven to be one of the most effective ways to stimulate rural economies. It creates jobs, empowers local communities, and offers visitors an authentic experience of Sabah's traditions, people, and landscapes,' he said at the launch of the 2025 Tuaran Kaamatan Festival in Kiulu.
CoBT involves local communities actively participating in the planning, development, and management of tourism activities, with residents often providing services such as accommodation, food, and cultural experiences.
Tourism is one of the key pillars of the state's Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development blueprint. Sabah recorded 923,709 tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025, putting the state on track to achieve its target of 3.5 million visitors this year.
'I am confident this target will not only be achieved but may even be surpassed, just as in 2024, when we recorded 3.2 million visitors, exceeding the initial target of three million,' Hajiji said.
He also stressed the importance of improving rural infrastructure to support the growth of tourism and agriculture.
'Good infrastructure not only benefits locals but also serves as a key attraction for both domestic and international tourists. We must build on this momentum. I want to see CoBT grow not only in numbers but also in quality and impact,' he said.
To further strengthen CoBT, four local associations recently signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with four local universities and a Taiwanese tourism association. These associations are the Kiulu Tourism Association, Tambunan Tourism Association, Sabah Coffee Entrepreneurs Association, and Tambatuon Women's Community Association in Kota Belud.
'These collaborations will enhance knowledge sharing and elevate the professionalism of our community tourism operators,' Hajiji said, adding that Kota Kinabalu will host Sabah's first-ever CoBT conference this June, organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Sabah Tourism Board.
Meanwhile, Hajiji, who is also the state assemblyman for the neighbouring Sulaman constituency, announced RM1.1 million in allocations for key development projects in the Kiulu constituency. These include a new parking facility in Kiulu town, a road to Kampung Kitapol, and a gravity-fed water supply system for Kampung Lopot.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Sabah prioritises agriculture as key driver of economic growth
Published on: Sunday, August 03, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 03, 2025 Text Size: Anwar and Hajiji with others visit one of the booths. - Pic by CMD KOTA KINABALU: The State Government remains committed to strengthening Sabah's agriculture sector as a key engine of growth and food security. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said agriculture contributed RM12.2 billion or 14.5 per cent to Sabah's GDP, making it the third largest sector in the state economy. He said this during the closing ceremony of the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day (HPPNK) 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here on Sunday, officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. To boost food resilience, Hajiji said Sabah had revived the Sabah Rice and Padi Board last year with the aim of raising rice self-sufficiency to 30 per cent by 2026 and 60 per cent by 2030. He highlighted the role of technology such as the Internet of Things and smart farming in modernising agriculture and attracting younger generations to the sector. So far, Sabah's 15 Permanent Food Production Parks (TKPM) have produced over 1,494 metric tonnes of food, generating more than RM4.32 million in returns. Sabah is also developing a RM360 million tuna and deep-sea fish landing port in Kota Kinabalu, expected to land 50,000 tonnes of tuna annually and support an estimated RM1.8 billion in economic value each year. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
5 hours ago
- Daily Express
B2 motorcycle licences for 1,200
Published on: Sunday, August 03, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 03, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: Shahelmey (centre), Aedy (left) and Harris (right) with the licence recipients. PENAMPANG: The MyLesen B2 programme that helped about 1,200 people to obtain free B2 motorcycle licences in Sabah is proof of the strong cooperation between the State and Federal Governments, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He said the Government has always been attentive to the pulse and needs of the people across all segments of society, whether in urban or rural areas. 'In this regard, the State and Federal Governments continue to work together to implement various initiatives for the people, especially in areas like transportation, which is a national priority,' he said at the handing-over ceremony of the licences at the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC), here, Saturday. Hajiji said the implementation of the programme was meaningful, as having a Class B2 motorcycle licence directly allows the beneficiaries to legally ride motorcycles and become competent riders. 'This programme is one of the Government's noble efforts to help low-income groups obtain licences, thereby empowering their mobility and expanding access to job opportunities, education and economic participation, especially in rural areas,' he said in his speech read by Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya. The MyLesen B2 programme is a government initiative through the Road Transport Department (RTD) under the National 2025 Budget, aimed at assisting 15,000 individuals from underprivileged groups nationwide. They included school students, higher learning institution students and B40 youths to obtain the Class B2 Malaysian Driving Licence (for motorcycles not exceeding 250cc). 'I have been informed that each programme participant has undergone lectures and training sessions, followed by a full testing process conducted by RTD Sabah and the licensing was carried out according to government standards. 'Congratulations to the Sabah RTD Di'rector and all officers who have been highly committed and worked hard in implementing the 2025 MyLesen B2 programme,' he said. The Chief Minister said the RTD-led programme also aligned with the aspirations and initiatives of the State Government under the action plan to eradicate hardcore poverty and empower social mobility, in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda. 'I am confident that if initiatives like this are continued and expanded, we will not only lessen the people's burden but also open broader opportunities for Sabah's youths to move toward a brighter future. 'The State Government always welcomes and fully supports such programmes and noble efforts that are people-centric,' he said. Hajiji said such efforts should be continued so their benefits can be enjoyed by more people, particularly those in need of financial and logistical assistance. 'In the context of the State Government, various forms of assistance and initiatives under the Sabah Maju Jaya 1.0 roadmap have been implemented to support the people, especially the B40 group, in both economic and educational aspects,' he said. He advised the licence recipients to make the best use of their licence and, most importantly, be disciplined, courteous, ethical and responsible road users. Also present were RTD Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli and Sabah RTD Director Mohd Harris Ali. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
19 hours ago
- Borneo Post
1,200 B40 youths in Sabah receive free motorcycle licences
Shahelmey (center) with Aedy Fadly (left) and Mohd Harris (right) posing with some of the MyLesen B2 recipients. PENAMPANG (Aug 2): A total of 1,200 school students, public higher education students and youths from the B40 income group in Sabah have benefitted from the MyLesen B2 Program for 2025. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said the initiative, jointly implemented by the state and federal governments, aims to assist B40 individuals — particularly school and university students — by covering the full cost of obtaining a Class B2 motorcycle driving license (for motorcycles not exceeding 250cc). 'This is proof of strong cooperation between the federal and state governments, through the Road Transport Department (RTD) under Budget 2025. Nationally, the program targets 15,000 beneficiaries from underprivileged groups,' said Hajiji. His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya during the Sabah State-Level MyLesen Class B2 Driving License Presentation Ceremony 2025 at ITCC Penampang on Saturday. Also present were RTD Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli and Sabah RTD Director Datuk Haji Mohd Harris Ali. Hajiji said the program enables beneficiaries to ride legally and safely, promoting mobility that enhances access to jobs, education and economic opportunities — especially in rural communities. 'This initiative supports the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda and the state's poverty eradication and social mobility goals. With continued expansion, it can ease financial burdens and open more doors for Sabah's youth,' he said. Meanwhile, Aedy Fadly noted that the program began in February 2025 in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic and five driving institutes. He said the initiative not only offers free legal driving access but also promotes road safety awareness and builds a generation of responsible road users. 'I urge all recipients to make good use of this opportunity, obey road laws, and drive safely. This is both a facility and a trust,' he added.
