Kota Kinabalu: The State Cabinet will determine the ideal location in Kimanis and also between Kota Belud and Kota Marudu for establishing two new industrial parks.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) in Sepanggar is nearing capacity while the Sabah Oil & Gas Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (SOGIP) in Sipitang is “full house”.
“The government envisions Kimanis as an oil and gas industrial park while the Kota Belud- Kota Marudu land will be similar to KKIP.
“We will be bringing the matter to Cabinet.
“With Sogip being full, we need to make room to further create and develop industries in Sabah for investors,” he told a press conference at the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Women’s Roadshow launch at Sabah International Convention Centre, Sunday.
Hajiji said Sabah is a cheaper investment option for foreigne investors compared to other Asean destinations given its strategic location to Philippines and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, he said the GRS coalition would be sending “troops” to help friends in the Unity Government in the imminent six peninsula state election campaigns, nomination for which fall on July 29.
Hajij also said the three unused Federal lands of over five years would be returned to the state.
“The recent MA63 Implementation Action Council Technical Committee Meeting held last week concluded that any land given for Federal development but abandoned can be rightfully returned to the state for its own development.
“In due process, reacquisition will follow the original price paid by Federal,” he said, adding that the specific locations will be soon publicised.”
Meanwhile, Hajiji wants Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) women to continue improving the existing unity for a stronger state and further serve the people according to the party’s struggles.
The GRS Chairman said even though the State Government has more than two years to go, the party machinery, especially the GRS women, cannot be complacent.
“We must continue to work to be united in the GRS and avoid misunderstandings and divisions. For that reason, the role and responsibility of GRS women is vital.
“The GRS party machinery desperately needs women to deliver the message and GRS’ struggle for the people at grassroots level in this state.
“I am very confident that under the leadership of Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun, GRS women will be a strong team.
“I am also confident that we can strengthen the existing unity resulting in victory in the coming state elections,” he said.
Hajiji also expressed happiness that the seven local parties in GRS are steadfast in ensuring that the struggles of the people and the state continue. He said, the State Government faced various challenges and tests since taking over administration more than two years ago.
"This includes Langkah Kinabalu, where there were certain quarters who tried to overthrow us. However, I am grateful for the union and support from Pakatan Harapan was enough to defend the state government.
“We have to continue defending this mandate and this is also where the role of GRS women is very important for us to create success in the next elections,” he said.
“Therefore, this tour program is very important… I was informed by Azizah that that they will be visiting all zones in Sabah to explain GRS policies and struggle.
“What is important is to continue the struggle and meet the aspirations of the people of Sabah.”
Hajiji said the GRS government has brought many successes during their two year rule, promising more development.
“We have done a lot, many countries have confidence in our leadership. Some 30 ambassadors and high commissioners have come to see me stating the potential Sabah has. They want to invest.
“However, the opposition is telling all kinds of stories, especially Parti Warisan, which is still blur and cannot see what we have done in that span,” he said.
“Let’s not make the same dividing mistakes again.
Sabah is our home and we should take care of it. The interests of the people always come first and this is the primary struggle of GRS,” he said.
