Sabah must leverage on its geographical location, being at the heart of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines - East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and strategically located along the Far-East shipping routes, said Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman.

"I look forward to the outcome of the comprehensive Sabah Ports 30 years master plan that will turn our ports into a vibrant transhipment hub for the BIMP-EAGA region as well as the Far East. This will also spur other multimodal logistics development and activities that include the Pan Borneo highway, railway connectivity linking the hinterland and aviation hub" Musa said, when delivering his inaugural lecture entitled ‘My Vision for Sabah' at an event organised by the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu (RCKK) on Sunday, March 26.

On another note, Musa said, the Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED), a 348-hectare integrated beachfront development in Tanjung Aru, was envisioned to be well-positioned to benefit the economy, community and environment.

"To create a sustainable development like no other in the region, TAED needs to be, not only economically viable but also socially and environmentally acceptable.”

By specifically developing TAED with low-impact residential, hotel and commercial properties, he said, the State government would not only be able to raise the necessary funds for construction but also to finance the maintenance of all public areas of the development, including the new beach and park.

"There is no other development comparable to TAED. TAED is envisioned to be well-positioned to benefit the economy, community and environment. It is with this holistic approach towards improving all three - economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability, that TAED will undoubtedly set a high benchmark for all future developments in Malaysia and the region" he said.