Kota Kinabalu: Sabah recorded approved investments totalling RM10.9 billion for the first quarter (1Q) of this year, representing the third highest in Malaysia after Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, the Sabah State Legislative Assembly was told Tuesday.
State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said the manufacturing sector emerged as the biggest contributor with an investment value of RM7.3 billion.
“As a result, the manufacturing sector investment in Sabah for 1Q of this year was the highest in Malaysia,” he said.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan–Senallang) who asked what measures have been taken to address issues that have deterred investors from coming to the State since 2020.
Phoong said despite facing various challenges, including global economic uncertainties, geopolitical pressures and infrastructure requirements, his Ministry has made every effort to ensure domestic and foreign investors’ continued confidence in coming to Sabah.
He noted that the State Manufacturing Investment Task Force was established to assist investors, whether foreign or local, in resolving various issues and meeting their requirements.
In addition, allocations have been made to improve basic infrastructure and utilities at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip) and Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) Lahad Datu.
This includes a RM40 million allocation for constructing a 33kV/11kV main distribution substation for Sogip, which is currently underway.
“The Government, through Jetama Sdn Bhd, is also implementing an initiative to provide fresh water specifically for industrial use. This is actively being carried out at POIC Lahad Datu, involving the use of seawater desalination technology to produce fresh water for factory and industrial use,” he said.
