KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Fellowship programme initiated by the state government has succeeded in opening up career paths for local youths to contribute directly to the state’s development ecosystem, says caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic).
He said since the programme was initiated, many of these young Sabahans known as “fellow SMJ” have been offered opportunities to join their respective government-linked companies (GLCs) after completing the programme.
“This is indeed an encouraging development,” he said, explaining that the SMJ Fellowship, which has entered its fourth batch, was an important platform not only for building experience but also for shaping identity, integrity, and outstanding leadership qualities.
Hajiji said this aligned with the state government’s commitment under the SMJ Development Plan framework, in which human capital development is the core driver in
building a sustainable and competitive future for the state.
“This is among the initiatives undertaken by the State Government today to develop the youth in Sabah,” he said at the presentation of appointment letters to 42 young Sabahans taking part in the SMJ Fellowship 4.0 batch programme at Menara Kinabalu here, Monday (Nov 3).
“We do not only aim to produce leaders who excel in knowledge and skills, but more importantly, we strive to develop leaders with a genuine empathy for the people,” he said.
These leaders would grasp the pulse of the community, elevate the people’s voices in policy discussions, and prioritise the spirit of love for the state above personal interests, Hajiji said, expressing hope that these fellows would become the catalyst for change for a more successful Sabah.
He urged the SMJ Fellows to make the most of this opportunity and experience the real world of state government administration, understand how policies are crafted, decisions made, and how the machinery of government is mobilised for the people.
In wishing them all the best of success, he said that youths are not merely successors, but important assets and heirs to the future that is being shaped today.
Hajiji also commended all GLCs that participated in the SMJ Fellowship programme for their continued commitment and consistency in supporting human capital development in Sabah.
“I was informed that in this round of the SMJ Fellowship programme, a total of 20 GLCs were involved, compared to 10 previously. This increase is not just a number but a manifestation of trust and strong support between the state and GLCs in nurturing Sabah’s next generation of young leaders,” he said.
He viewed the continuous efforts by the Sabah Ministry of Youth and Sports in designing and implementing programmes that serve as important platforms for sharpening leadership talent, building competitiveness, and preparing the next generation of Sabah’s successors as a highly commendable initiative.
