KOTA BELUD, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- All districts in Sabah have been urged to develop tourism products and experiences with their own distinct identities in preparation for Visit Sabah Year 2027.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said every district had its own unique features and strengths that could be highlighted as major attractions, including Kota Belud, which is rich cultural heritage, traditions and natural beauty.
“Through this approach, the benefits of tourism will not be confined to major industry players and businesses, but will also reach homestay operators, farmers, livestock breeders, small traders, food operators, handicraft producers and local communities,” he said.
He said this at the opening ceremony of the Tamu Besar Kota Belud 2026, which was also attended by Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah, Tun Musa Aman, and his wife, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud; Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also state Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport; and state Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Fairuz Renddan.
The 148-year-old Tamu Kota Belud is also an important annual event in the tourism calendar, organised by the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, providing a platform for local traders to introduce and market their products.
Hajiji said the Tamu Besar Kota Belud was more than a place to trade or barter goods, as it has long served as a social gathering place that strengthened unity among people of different races and religions, including Bajau-Samah, Kadazandusun, Murut, Iranun and Chinese communities.
This tradition, he stressed, should be preserved and adapted to changing times to ensure that it remains relevant to future generations.
He said Kota Belud’s recognition as part of the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark since May 2023 demonstrated the district’s tremendous potential to offer a variety of attractions, including adventure, recreational and cultural activities, as well as the natural beauty of its islands and rivers.
“Through this strong spirit of unity at this tamu (market), we demonstrate that Sabah’s racial and religious diversity is our greatest strength as we move forward together to realise the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan,” he added.
On infrastructure development, Hajiji said the state government would continue to prioritise the development of basic infrastructure and facilities under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and the SMJ 2.0 Development Plan, including the nearly completed Kota Belud-Wariu section of the Pan Borneo Highway project.
“We want these development projects to bring tangible benefits to the people, whether through better connectivity, digital facilities that support economic activities, or new opportunities for local communities to increase their income,” he added.
The infrastructure development is also supported by the provision of a Digital Economy Centre at Wisma Majlis Daerah to spur local business activities and strengthen the district’s agricultural sector, especially paddy cultivation.
Hajiji said the competitiveness of local entrepreneurs was evident, with 1,800 of the approximately 12,000 entrepreneurs in Sabah who had received various forms of assistane and small and medium enterprise (SME) grants originating from Kota Belud.
The Chief Minister stressed that the state government remained committed to supporting the district’s traditional economic sectors through the adoption of modern technology, new approaches, value-added activities and wider market access to improve the people’s well-being.
-- BERNAMA