Kota Kinabalu: Sabah must urgently embrace Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles to build resilient and future-ready infrastructure, said State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong.
He said the State is at a “pivotal moment” as it works to balance development ambitions with climate risks, land pressures and the need for transparent governance.
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“This year’s theme, ‘Redefining Infrastructure Through ESG,’ is timely, necessary and transformative. ESG provides us with a new and more holistic development blueprint.
“It signals that the way we plan, build and sustain infrastructure must change — not only to meet global standards, but to reflect Sabah’s realities, aspirations and unique characteristics,” he said.
Safar said this in a keynote address delivered during the opening of the 9th Sabah International Surveyors’ Congress 2025 here on Tuesday.
The text of his speech was read by State Land and Survey Department Director Datuk Sr Bernard Liew Chau Min.
The congress, organised by the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) Sabah Branch, brought together speakers and experts in land governance, valuation, geomatics, quantity surveying and infrastructure development.
Also present were RISM Sabah Branch Chairman Sr Ts. Allen Leslie Chin; Deputy Chairman and organising chairperson, Sr Melissa Felix Lee; and Kota Kinabalu City Hall Director-General Datuk Sr Lifred Wong, among others.
As a way forward, Safar said Sabah must adopt an ESG-defined framework to drive sustainable infrastructure development and position itself as a regional leader.
He said this includes establishing a transparent, digital-driven land administration system, adopting cost-planning practices that prioritise life-cycle sustainability, reforming laws to keep pace with technological changes and integrating artificial intelligence to strengthen governance.
He said that infrastructure planning in Sabah begins with land administration, which is closely tied to identity, customary rights, sustainable resource use and long-term economic planning.
Strong governance in land administration, he said, requires transparency in land data and decision-making.
“Sabah needs clearer, more accessible land records and digital cadastral systems that reduce ambiguity.
“The future is a digital land registry with real-time title verification, clear boundaries and tamper-proof audit trails,” he said, adding that satellite data and drone imaging must become standard practice to reduce encroachment, delays and boundary disputes.
“Strengthening land governance is not just about efficiency — it is about building trust, which is at the heart of ESG,” he added.
