15/07/2025
💰 Economic Development
Top performer: Musa Aman 2003–2018 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — created large cash reserves (~RM4 billion), promoted foreign investment, industrial hubs.
Emerging: Shafie Apdal 2018–2020 ⭐⭐ — short tenure limited full realisation.
🛣️ Infrastructure
Leader: Harris Salleh 1976–1985 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — major road-building, towns connected, initiated Labuan Federal Territory.
Musa Aman also expanded roads, ports, and logistics parks.
🌾 Rural Development
Focused Leaders: Tun Mustapha, Pairin, Shafie — all prioritized kampung infrastructure, rural clinics, native land titles.
📚 Education Access
Musa Aman led investment in rural schools and scholarships.
Shafie promoted inclusive policies for undocumented children and rural literacy.
🏛️ Sabah Autonomy & MA63 Advocacy
Strongest: Pairin Kitingan 1985–1994 ⭐⭐⭐ and Shafie — vocal defenders of Sabah’s constitutional rights, resource control, and federal negotiation.
Tun Datu Mustapha 1967–1975 ⭐⭐⭐ also championed autonomy but focused within a strong federal-Islamic identity.
🏛️ 1. Political Stability and Coalition Realignment
🟦 Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) & Hajiji’s Leadership
12 Sept 2020 — Hajiji forms Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS): a coalition of PN, BN, and PBS ahead of the Sabah election .
26 Sept 2020 — In the state election, GRS wins 38 seats (17 PN, 14 BN, 7 PBS) and secures a simple majority .
29 Sept 2020 — Hajiji is sworn in as 16th Chief Minister. Forms a cabinet with members from GRS, PH, BN dissidents .
Mar 2022 — Sabah govt officially styled “GRS‑BN government” to reflect BN participation .
Jan 2023 — BN–UMNO withdraws support; Hajiji secures PH support and restructures the cabinet into a GRS‑PH Plus administration .
Mid‑2023 — Sabah enacts an anti-hopping law, stabilizing political defections .
2024–2025 — GRS-PH Plus government continues despite bribery allegations, the coalition remains intact.
🟦 Key Developments Under Hajiji's Administration (2020–2025)
Enacted the Anti-Hopping Law in Sabah (May 2023) — a major step toward stabilizing party-switching culture.
💼 2. State Rights & MA63 Implementation
Assertively pursued Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Established the Sabah Petroleum Authority to negotiate directly with Petronas.
Successfully increased oil and gas revenue-sharing.
Advocated for greater administrative autonomy, particularly in education and infrastructure.
💰 3. Economic Recovery & State Budget
Tabled record-breaking Sabah State Budgets:
RM4.91 billion (2022)
RM5.14 billion (2023)
RM6.6 billion (2024) – highest ever for Sabah
Prioritized rural development, digital economy, and infrastructure.
Launched Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan 2021–2025.
🏗️ 4. Infrastructure & Investment
Invested in Pan Borneo Highway, water treatment upgrades, and broadband infrastructure.
Launched the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park expansion.
Attracted RM20+ billion in foreign and local investment (2020–2024).
Expanded ports and logistics for Palm oil, gas and mineral exports.
🌾 5. Agriculture & Rural Empowerment
Boosted agro-industrial projects under SMJ Blueprint.
Improved rural roads, clean water, and electricity access in interior Sabah.
Encouraged community-based tourism and native land use rights.
🧑🎓 6. Youth, Education & Digitalization
Expanded TVET (Technical & Vocational Education) centers.
Launched Sabah Digital Economy Blueprint.
Rolled out e-government and smart village pilot programs.
🌿 7. Environment & Conservation
Promoted sustainable logging, eco-tourism, and forest reserve protection.
Partnered with NGOs and international agencies to fund carbon offset projects.
📌 Summary
Datuk Hajiji’s tenure has been marked by:
Political resilience
A strong push for Sabah’s autonomy and rights
Big-budget economic plans
Emphasis on rural inclusion and infrastructure
Despite political instability and internal party friction, he has held Sabah's administration together and focused on long-term development goals like state empowerment, industrialization, and rural upliftment.