Sabah at forefront of MADANI efforts for sustainable and inclusive development
Borneo Post Online (02/11/2025) - BEAUFORT (Nov 2): The organisation of two major Federal Government programmes in Sabah this week reflects the state’s vital role in advancing Malaysia’s sustainable development and people’s well-being agenda under the MADANI Government.
Among these programmes are the Jelajah Agrikomoditi MADANI @ Sabah organised by the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) in Beaufort, followed by the Karnival Alam Kita (KAK) at the Sabah state level in Kimanis, organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES).
Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, represented Minister of Plantation and Commodities and Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, in officiating both events on Saturday.
According to Chan, Sabah is not only a major contributor to Malaysia’s agri-commodity sector but also one of the most biodiverse regions in the country — making the empowerment of rural communities and the preservation of the environment a national priority.
He said that the back-to-back events reflect the MADANI Government’s continued commitment to strengthening the agri-commodity sector while raising public awareness on environmental sustainability.
“Sabah is the lifeblood of Malaysia’s agri-commodity industry — not only as a key producer but also a leader in sustainable practices. At the same time, we want every Sabahan to play a part in protecting our planet through small actions that create big impact,” he said.
In Beaufort, the Jelajah Agrikomoditi MADANI @ Sabah drew strong participation from smallholders and local residents despite the hot weather. The programme focused on the critical role of key commodities such as palm oil, rubber, timber, cocoa and pepper in supporting the state and national economy.
Chan said that Sabah currently has 199,000 hectares of oil palm plantations cultivated by more than 31,000 registered smallholders, while Beaufort alone has 4,600 hectares managed by 1,500 smallholders.
During the event, Chan also presented government assistance schemes to five selected recipients as a gesture of support for the welfare and resilience of oil palm smallholders.
“We want to ensure that every smallholder in Sabah has the opportunity to enhance productivity and income through assistance schemes, technical training, and sustainable certification. This proves that the MADANI Government leaves no one behind,” he added.
Also present at the Beaufort event were Political Secretary to the Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Rizalman Mokhtar, Member of Parliament for Beaufort, Datuk Hajah Siti Aminah Aching, and Chairman of the Giat MARA Beaufort Advisory Board, Datuk Awang Aslee Lakat.
Meanwhile in Kimanis, the Karnival Alam Kita (KAK) organised by NRES in collaboration with the Sabah State Government and the Department of Environment, also received overwhelming response from the local community.
The carnival featured a variety of activities including workshops, seminars, community clean-ups, and environmental education programmes to foster love for nature among the people.
“Protecting the environment is not the sole responsibility of the government. It is a shared duty — from students and entrepreneurs to rural communities. If each of us takes small steps, such as reducing plastic use or planting trees, the impact will be significant for the future of Sabah and Malaysia,” Chan said.
He also emphasised that the government is currently exploring various initiatives, including new policy frameworks and stakeholder engagements, to strengthen sustainability governance and biodiversity conservation nationwide.
“Sabah’s natural wealth — from Mount Kinabalu and Danum Valley to the coral ecosystems of Sipadan — is among the world’s greatest treasures. Yet we face pressing challenges such as habitat loss, pollution and climate change.
“The government is actively addressing these issues through legislative measures, research partnerships, and community-based initiatives to ensure balanced and sustainable progress,” he said.
Also present at the Kimanis event were Member of Parliament for Kimanis and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Datuk Mohamad Alamin, and Datuk Rizalman Mokhtar.
Both programmes highlight the MADANI Government’s holistic approach in ensuring that economic growth and environmental stewardship progress hand in hand — paving the way towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for all Malaysians.