SABAH firms have secured more than RM50 million in contracts from the Chinese-headquartered Kibing Group, as the solar glass manufacturer accelerates its industrial expansion across the state.
The announcement follows Kibing’s confirmation that it plans to recruit 700 more Sabahans in a fresh hiring drive next month, in addition to the 1,625 locals already employed across its glass operations in the state.
Recruitment will begin on May 13 and is scheduled to cover six districts, including Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Penampang, and Beaufort.
The state government has welcomed the development, which it says is part of a broader effort to build industrial capacity while ensuring Sabahans benefit directly from large-scale foreign investments.
“These investments are not only about capital — they are also about creating jobs and opportunities for the people,” said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor after attending a company event at Kibing’s factory in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park on Friday.
Kibing’s Sabah presence is centred on the manufacturing of ultra-clear solar glass panels, a critical component in photovoltaic technology.
These are primarily exported to China and other global markets.
The company also sources silica sand locally — a key raw material for its production lines — prompting increased scrutiny of Sabah’s natural resource management.
The group’s first RM2.5 billion facility in KKIP began full production last year, with 1,500 export containers now shipped monthly at an estimated value of USD14 million.
A second RM7.2 billion plant in Kimanis is under construction, with production expected to ramp up in stages by year’s end.
Officials say the second production line will be fully operational by June, followed by a third in the final quarter of 2025.
Federal and state officials — including Domestic Trade Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and Sabah Industrial Development Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe — were present at the company’s recent Hari Raya reception.
Hajiji has reiterated the administration’s commitment to positioning the state as a hub for renewable energy-related industries, stating that high-impact investments like Kibing are central to achieving the goals of the Sabah Maju Jaya roadmap. - April 25, 2025
