Chief minister Hajiji Noor said the plan, being carried out by the state forestry department, aligns with the state government’s goal of rationalising land use to balance socio-economic development with environmental conservation.

“With this forest master plan in place, the state government will ensure all ecologically sensitive areas remain protected while not neglecting sustainable socio-economic development for the wellbeing of Sabah’s people.

“This is in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya roadmap through the SMJ 2.0 Development Plan, which outlines the need for infrastructure development and green growth,” he said at the launch of the 2026 national-level International Forest Day celebration at Dataran Sook today.

Present was natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Arthur Joseph Kurup.

Hajiji reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to maintaining at least 50% forest cover, in line with the Sabah Forest Policy 2018.

He said Sabah currently retains 63% forest cover, or 3.85 million hectares, gazetted as forest reserves and other protected areas.

To further strengthen forest management and protect biodiversity, he said, the state is committed to keeping 2.2 million hectares, or 30% of Sabah’s total area, as totally protected areas.

Hajiji also said Sabah has identified about 400,000ha of degraded forest reserve land for forest plantation development, as outlined in the 2022-2036 action plan.

This initiative is a proactive strategy to restore degraded forest productivity, reduce the timber industry’s dependence on natural forest logs, and ensure a sustainable supply of raw materials.