The initiative, unveiled in its six-pillar One Sabah Development Plan manifesto at the Sabah Umno headquarters this morning, aims to help B40 and M40 families own their first homes, alongside a special repair fund for households affected by natural disasters.
Another key proposal is the creation of a Sabah wealth fund, a long-term savings and investment vehicle funded by the state’s natural resources, strategic investments, GLCs, the private sector and Petronas.
BN said the fund would serve as a financial buffer for future generations and a safeguard for Sabah’s economic sovereignty.
The coalition also pledged to push for the construction of a new international airport, arguing that expanded capacity is needed to cope with rising passenger and cargo demand.
In addition, there are plans to open a new port in Kudat, complete with a free trade zone, to stimulate northern Sabah’s economic growth.
The manifesto, unveiled by Sabah BN election director Salleh Said Keruak, outlined the completion of the stalled Pan Borneo Highway within five years, alongside ongoing upgrades and new rural link roads to ensure what it describes as a “balanced and sustained economic spillover” across the state.
On the federal front, BN said it is focused on ensuring that the federal government will honour Sabah’s entitlement to 40% of the revenue derived from the state.
The manifesto also demands Sabah representation on all federal government-linked companies, and called for 35% of parliamentary seats to be allocated collectively to Sabah and Sarawak to reflect the equal partnership principle of Malaysia’s founding.
For the oil and gas sector, the manifesto proposes mandatory quotas, including 50% of skilled jobs to be held by Sabahans and 30% local company participation in all contracts, to strengthen local involvement in high-value industries.
The plan also targets entrepreneurship and digital economy, offering grants to micro and small businesses, expanding digital connectivity statewide, and supporting creative industries, tourism, and agro-business initiatives.
BN said it aims to empower women and youth by ensuring 30% female representation in state decision-making, creating a dedicated state ministry for women and family development, and implementing youth programmes, including TVET training, rent-to-own housing, entrepreneurship grants, and sports development.
Education initiatives under the manifesto include tuition-free higher education at state-owned institutions, incentives for students studying outside Sabah, support for kindergarten fees, and local law education at Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
Healthcare and social welfare measures include free treatment for critical illnesses, support for rural volunteers, anti-bullying initiatives, and the creation of a Sabah unity council to promote social cohesion.
BN described the plan as a holistic blueprint to ensure balanced economic growth, improved social welfare, and sustainable development, aimed at raising living standards for all communities across Sabah.
Present at the launch were BN chairman and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Sabah BN chairman Bung Moktar Radin, BN secretary-general Zambry Abd Kadir, Wanita BN chief Noraini Ahmad and Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.