THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEADERSHIP, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL HARMONY: A CASE STUDY IN SABAH, MALAYSIA

Leadership generally associated with aspects of economic development and social harmony. To understand the significant relationship between leadership, economic development and social harmony, a case study was conducted in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. For that purpose, a mixed method approach has been used to enable qualitative data to be obtained from secondary sources and interviews with selected respondents and quantitative data be collected using a set of questionnaires designed by the researcher. A total of 8 respondents were selected for an interview session to obtain qualitative data and a total of 100 respondents were selected to provide feedback using a questionnaire, and they were chosen using purposive sampling method. Based on the analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data obtained, the study found that there is indeed a significant relationship between leadership, economic development and social harmony in Sabah, Malaysia. Accordingly, it is hoped that the authorities can formulate and then implement various efforts to strengthen leadership among leaders at various levels in Sabah, Malaysia and elsewhere to ensure that economic development and social harmony be strengthened and preserved.