RM310,000 for Sabah’s Trade Unions

Sabah’s economic blueprint – the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 – will produce more skilled workers to address the demand in local industries, including for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology. The world is undergoing a major transformation driven by digital technology, automation and AI, and the new era of technology is reshaping the employment landscape which calls for different skill sets.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor shared his thoughts and vision at the presentation ceremony for the 2026 Trade Union Affairs Programme (Penyerahan Bantuan Program Hal Ehwal Kesatuan Sekerja or PHEKS) assistance to Sabah trade unions on 29 June 2026 at the Magellan Sutera Hotel, Kota Kinabalu. The event was graced by Sabah Head of State Tun Datuk Seri Panglima (Dr.) Musa Haji Aman. Sabah needs more engineers, technologists, skilled technicians, data scientists, AI specialists and industry leaders, Hajiji said.

"The State Government remains committed to see that the SMJ 2.0 initiatives lead to a prosperous, competitive and inclusive environment," Hajiji added. “Trade unions must move in tandem with these changes by strengthening organisational digitalisation, enhancing members' skills through upskilling initiatives which should be in line with the SMJ 2.0’s emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Sabah needs a competent and highly skilled workforce in the energy, oil and gas, blue economy, tourism, advanced manufacturing and green technology sectors.”

Hajiji said that trade union leaders must continue to be responsible leaders to championing workers' welfare and they must be effective catalysts for stable industrial relations and investor confidence. The MADANI Government has allocated RM6.1 million to PHEKS in 2026 for implementation of its nationwide programmes including RM310,000 for 38 trade unions in Sabah.

Datuk Ewon Benedick, Deputy Chief Minister III and State Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, delivered the CM’s speech.