KOTA KINABALU: June 24, 2026 – Education is the single most important investment needed to ensure Sabah’s continued progress and competitiveness, the state’s top federal official said on Wednesday.
Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Mohd Razali Wahab said developing quality human capital must be a priority, as today’s young people would go on to lead key sectors across the region.
“If we want to see Sabah continue to advance and remain competitive in the future, the biggest investment we need to make is in education,” he said.
“When we invest in education, we are in fact investing in Sabah’s future.”
He said the students in schools today would become the workforce, entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators who would determine the direction of Sabah’s development.
The success of Sabah’s tourism, oil and gas, digital economy and emerging industries, he added, depended on the state’s ability to produce knowledgeable, skilled and globally competitive human capital.
Mr Mohd Razali said a quality education system not only helped raise living standards but also acted as a catalyst for economic growth and social well-being.
Education should be viewed as a long-term investment that would bring lasting benefits to future generations and form the foundation of Sabah’s progress, he said.
Strengthening education today would determine Sabah’s ability to meet future challenges and seize opportunities in a world increasingly driven by technology and innovation, he added.
He was delivering the keynote address at the Sabah State Education Department’s 2025 Excellent Service Award and 2026 Jasamu Dikenang ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre.
