Kota Kinabalu: Phoong denied allegations in social media that the Government had covertly allowed the export of Sabah’s valuable natural resource – silica sand.
“I want to make it clear – there have been no unauthorised exports of silica sand from Sabah. The accusations spreading online are baseless,” he said.
According to Phoong, the only approved export of silica sand occurred between July and August 2023, when 2,598.93 tonnes – out of the 5,000 tonnes initially permitted – were sent to China for quality testing.
This trial run was necessary for the establishment of a solar glass manufacturing plant by Kibing Group at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP).
“Once the KKIP plant was operational, all silica sand had been processed locally. None has been exported to China, the peninsula or any other country,” he said.
Phoong also addressed concerns regarding recent sightings of silica sand shipments from Sikuati, Kudat.
He clarified that these shipments, amounting to 3,500 tonnes, were not exports but deliveries to Sepanggar for transportation to KKIP.
“Some people may have seen barges moving silica sand and assumed it was being exported. In reality, it was being transferred domestically for processing.”
His Ministry, along with Customs, port authorities and the police, has reviewed all relevant documentation to confirm that no unauthorised exports have taken place.
“This aligns with the Government’s commitment to downstream industrialisation.
“Instead of exporting raw materials, we are adding value by manufacturing solar glass locally,” Phoong said, adding that the long-term goal is to establish a full-fledged solar panel industry in Sabah.
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