By: Nurul Fazliana Norman
KOTA KINABALU: Aug 25, 2026 — Sabah’s development must be carried out alongside the development of knowledgeable, upright and morally grounded individuals to ensure the state’s progress benefits all its people, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said today.
He said the state’s development should not be measured solely by physical infrastructure, economic growth and technological sophistication, but must also emphasise the cultivation of a society with strong moral values and a sense of responsibility.
Drawing lessons from the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) teachings, he said community development must be carried out holistically by strengthening brotherhood, safeguarding welfare and making justice the foundation of communal life.
“The Prophet proved that leadership strength lies not in power alone, but in the ability to build trust, act fairly and bring benefit to the community,” he said in his address at the Sabah State-level Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) celebration for 1448H/2026M at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here.
Hajiji said the state government is committed to ensuring that all development initiatives are inclusive and provide the widest possible benefits to the people, including those in urban and rural areas.
“We want to build a state that is not only advanced economically and in terms of development, but also one that has a society with strong moral values, high integrity and close ties among its people,” he said.
He said the values of trustworthiness, justice, diligence, compassion and concern demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) must continue to serve as a guide in carrying out every responsibility.
As such, Hajiji said Sabah’s diversity of races, religions and cultures must be preserved as a strength that forms the foundation of the state’s unity and harmony.
He added that peace and stability are prerequisites for development, as without unity, planned development agendas would be more difficult to realise.
He also underscored the importance of the younger generation in determining the state’s future, particularly in facing technological advances, artificial intelligence (AI), the information explosion and rapid social changes.
He said young people must be equipped with education, skills, identity and moral character, while also leveraging digital technology to gain knowledge, develop skills and boost productivity.
Hajiji said the application of the noble values demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in individual lives, families, communities and governance can help build a Sabah that is more advanced, peaceful, prosperous and blessed by Allah SWT.
