KOTA KINABALU, May 4 -- Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor is confident the state's tourism sector will remain resilient despite challenges posed by the current Middle East conflict.

He said that while the government has been refining its strategies, continued investor interest in the state showed Sabah would be able to weather the challenges.

"This crisis will fundamentally reshape how we operate. Every sector will be affected, which means we must adapt and innovate in our business practices.

"Yet, the future remains bright. Despite these obstacles, I am heartened to see strong investor confidence in Sabah's tourism sector," he said during his speech at the grand opening of the Sheraton Kota Kinabalu hotel here.

Hajiji ...