‘Be careful of China’s interest in Sabah’s palm oil industry’
Published on: Saturday, June 11, 2022
By: FMT
Salahuddin Ayub said China’s intention to invest in the palm oil industry should be viewed from several perspectives.
PETALING JAYA: Amanah Deputy President Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (pic) called for the Government to be cautious in its approach to China’s interest in Sabah’s palm oil industry.In a statement, he said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Sabah on June 4 and expressed his country’s interest in exploring the State’s palm oil industry to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
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“While in general, we should encourage the entry of foreign investors into our country, China’s intention to invest in the palm oil industry should be viewed from several perspectives.”
Salahuddin explained that from 2011 to 2020, Chinese companies had purchased and leased nearly seven million hectares of agricultural and mining land in foreign countries.
He said the experiences of countries like Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo proved that investments from China could end in the loss of assets, property and even national sovereignty.
He added that the transfer of land to foreign nations would pose a threat to a country’s sovereignty. “Sabah’s strategic position in the struggle for influence and power in the South China Sea (between China and Western powers) also requires us to be more careful in evaluating and accepting investment offers from the country,” Salahuddin said.
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He added that such a cautious approach was evident in Indonesia’s rejection of China’s request to own agricultural and plantation lands in their country.
“So, the Government must be clear and firm in taking the same approach and continue maintaining close trade relations with China but only as a supplier and consumer.
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“National sovereignty must be protected from any threat even when it involves foreign investment, economic relations, and bilateral trade.”
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