Kota Kinabalu: There is huge potential to invest in sustainable energy in Sabah, according to State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe.He said this after meeting with several ambassadors.
Phoong recently met with the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, Takahashi Katsuhiko, Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia, Joachim Bergström and also the High Commissioner of Australia to Malaysia, Dr Justin Lee.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.
“The meeting was fruitful as the ambassadors told us that Sabah has huge potential in developing sustainable power plants … supplying energy while being in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations,” said Phoong in a statement, here, last Sunday.
“I took the opportunity to invite the Ambassadors and High Commissioner to pay Sabah a visit to discuss further on the matter and also introduce potential investors that could assist the State in developing its green energy power plants. We must seize the opportunity to gain first-mover advantage,” he said.
Phoong also co-chaired a roundtable meeting together with the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Liew Chin Tong, in Malaysian Investment Development Authority’s (Mida) headquarters.
“This is the second major inter-agency roundtable meeting I have chaired ever since I was sworn in as Minister,” said Phoong.
“I would also like to extend my gratitude towards the Deputy Minister of Miti for organising the roundtable meeting to discuss how Sabah could make major progress in industrial development,” he added.
The roundtable meeting was focused on seeking alternative energy sources for the rising demand for Sabah’s industrial usage. The meeting was also attended by Energy Commission of Sabah’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid.
Phoong acknowledged the surging demand on power supply and urged agencies to assist Sabah in planning ahead for its future industrial development plans.
The Minister also paid a visit to the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park’s (MCKIP) 10th anniversary event to look into the module of the industrial park and its potential in Sabah.
He thanked the Consulate General of China in Kota Kinabalu, Huang Shifang, for the hospitality and arrangement.
Phoong said it is important to strengthen the bilateral relations with all these developed countries as it would open up many opportunities to Sabah and the people.
Also attending the working trip was Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (Mide), Datuk Thomas Logijin, Political Secretary to the Minister, Chan Loong Wei, and representatives from the three industrial parks in Sabah.
