Sabah

One of the largest of Malaysia’s 13 states, Sabah is banking on an economic development strategy that aims to make the most of its strategic position in the South China Sea, the beauty of its landscape and the riches of its natural environment. The plan centres on the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), one of five economic development zones established throughout Malaysia and designed to encourage growth by targeting investment in key industries. In Sabah, the corridor covers the entire state and is focused on developing natural resources, especially hydrocarbons, and agriculture – predominantly palm oil, but also including food crops. Sabah is also looking to increase tourism, with Mount Kinabalu (South-east Asia’s tallest mountain), some of the world’s most stunning dive sites, and iconic wildlife, attracting visitors from across the globe. This chapter contains interviews with Musa Aman, Chief Minister, Sabah; Mohd Yaakub Johari, President and CEO, Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority; Clarence Bongkos Malakun, Chairman, Institute for Development Studies Sabah; and Melvin Disimond, CEO, Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park.