Kota Kinabalu: Political Secretary to the Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Chan Loong Wei, has called on Warisan’s Elopura Assemblyman Calvin Chong to stop politicising the State’s efforts to attract investments and focus on fostering economic growth.
He said this in reaction to Calvin’s repeated criticisms of the RM31 billion Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd project, a major investment set to transform Sabah’s industrial sector and create thousands of jobs.
“Instead of welcoming this historic investment, the largest in Sabah and among the biggest in Malaysia, Calvin has chosen to distort facts and mislead the public, just as he did with the Kibing Group and Sandakan EV Assembly Plant projects,” Chan said in a statement, here, Wednesday.
He questioned whether Chong and Warisan were opposed to industrialisation, noting that every time the Sabah Government secures credible investors, the opposition resorts to baseless accusations rather than constructive solutions.
“Politicising investments is reckless and harms Sabah’s reputation. If Calvin truly seeks accountability, he should raise his concerns in the State Assembly,” Chan said.
Pointing out Calvin’s silence during the Sandakan EV Assembly Plant debate in the Assembly, Chan said Calvin is a populist rhetoric for publicity rather than genuine advocacy.
Chan also defended Esteel Enterprise, pointing out its credibility as a company founded by a top Chinese entrepreneur with a proven track record, including the acquisition of Penang’s Southern Steel Berhad in 2024.
“For an elected representative to attack without basic research is unacceptable. It disrespects the due diligence carried out by Federal and State agencies like the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysian Industrial Development Authority, and the Department of Environment,” he added.
Urging Sabahans to judge Calvin’s leadership, Chan said politics should be about progress, not theatrics.
“The State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry is committed to creating jobs and making Sabah investor-friendly. Continually undermining strategic projects without offering alternatives is damaging to our economy,” he said.
Chan called for an end to using investments for political gain, warning that such actions risk deterring future investors and harming Sabah’s development.
“Sabahans deserve better. Let us work together for a more prosperous State,” he said.
