Kota Kinabalu: Head of State Tun Musa Aman said the State Government is committed to investing in human capital, saying education is key to Sabah’s future.
“While Sabah is advancing rapidly under the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda, development without intellectual enlightenment is fragile development,” he told Sabah students at the Majlis Mahabbah gathering in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday.
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“We do not want Sabah to be grand only with buildings and major projects, but with its people empty in soul and morals.
“That is why the State Government’s biggest investment is not only focused on physical development but on quality human capital … all of you,” said Musa who is in Cairo for a four-day official visit that saw him engage with nearly 350 Sabahan students studying in Egypt.
The visit is Musa’s third engagement with Sabahan students in Egypt, spanning different phases of his career.
His first interaction came in 1997 as Yayasan Sabah Director when he facilitated the purchase of Wisma Yayasan Sabah in Cairo to provide accommodation for Sabahan students who lacked proper housing at the time.
During his tenure as Chief Minister from 2003, he oversaw the acquisition of a second hostel, Bangunan Asrama Yayasan Sabah, in Alexandria, the second largest city after Cairo in Egypt.
Now serving as the Sabah Head of State since Jan 1, 2025, he made the current visit a priority, informing officials including Minister of Local Government and Housing cum Religious Affairs Datuk Dr. Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif of his intention to meet with students abroad.
Musa urged students to become intellectual bridges who bring back not just qualifications but the lessons and values from Middle Eastern civilization.
He reminded them to uphold moderation and resist extremism in Sabah’s diverse multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.
“A true scholar is not merely one who can memorise books, but one who can translate the values in those books for the benefit of the people in villages, cities, and throughout Sabah,” he said.
Additionally, he pointed out the importance of maintaining integrity in their studies and preserving their identity as Sabahans despite gaining fluency in Arabic or English.
He encouraged students to build collaborative networks, noting that today’s world operates without borders.
“When knowledge fills your hearts, return to the Land Below the Wind to sow your service and dedication. Sabah yearns for your contributions,” he said.
Among those present were Arifin, Yayasan Sabah Director Datuk Ghulam Haidar @ Yusof Khan Bahadar, and State Mufti Datuk Bongsu Aziz Jaafar, among others. The event also included leaders from student organisations including Badan Kebajikan Penuntut Sabah Mesir Chairman Mohamad Hisman Guliga and Majlis Mahasiswa Sabah Jordan Chairman Muhammad Izzat Halimuddin.
Musa was accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin and a delegation from Kota Kinabalu during the visit to Egypt and neighbouring countries where Sabahan students are pursuing their studies.
The visit centres on two main events, the Mahabbah Gathering with Sabah students in Egypt and the officiation of Dewan Al-Imam Al-Tayeb at the International Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Academy.
