Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Professional Council (SPC) welcomed the firm stance taken by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on the performance and accountability of State Government-Linked Companies (GLCs).
Representing more than 4,000 local professionals including architects, engineers, lawyers, accountants, surveyors, town planners, doctors and pharmacists, the SPC acknowledged the Chief Minister’s directive for comprehensive restructuring and the introduction of quarterly performance reporting starting January 2026.
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It echoed the Chief Minister’s view that GLCs must function as efficient and credible economic catalysts for the State.
To achieve the goals of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 roadmap, it said these entities must be led by dynamic, results-oriented and professionally qualified individuals who uphold the highest standards of financial integrity and transparency.
SPC President Ar. Rizal Ahmad Banjar said the Chief Minister’s warning that non-performing GLCs could be shut down and leadership positions reviewed underscored the urgent need for professional intervention.
“The SPC is fully prepared to offer our collective expertise to assist the State Government in monitoring, auditing and revitalising these entities.
“Our members possess the local technical knowledge and ethical rigour necessary to ensure state resources are managed with maximum accountability,” he said.
The SPC expressed its willingness to collaborate with the State Government Companies and Statutory Bodies Monitoring and Consultant Committee in several key areas, including independent performance audits to assess project viability and operational efficiency, as well as capacity building and governance training for newly appointed board members and management.
It also proposed the use of SPC’s professional clusters, including construction, finance, legal and digital technology, to provide specialised advisory support for GLCs venturing into new strategic areas such as renewable energy and artificial intelligence.
In addition, the SPC said it could assist the State in developing a merit-based talent pipeline by identifying qualified local professionals for leadership roles, in line with a “Sabahan First” approach.
The SPC said the success of the SMJ 2.0 agenda depended on strong synergy between government policy and professional execution, and commended the Chief Minister for insisting on measurable key performance indicators and transparency.
“We are ready to work alongside the State administration to transform these agencies into profitable, dividend-paying entities that deliver real value to the people of Sabah. The SPC has written to the Chief Minister on this matter and looks forward to local professionals being given clearer and more substantive roles in State GLCs,” Rizal added.
The SPC reaffirmed its commitment to being a proactive partner in Sabah’s development and looks forward to a constructive engagement with the Chief Minister’s office to formalise this support.
