PLANS to rejuvenate the Sabah Trade Centre hit a brick wall when Sabah’s special envoy for the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, said he wanted the run-down facility for an office.
The 27-year-old centre had recently run into controversy when the state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry abruptly evicted the temporary management company and tenants.
Pandikar voiced opposition to the state ministry’s redevelopment plans following the incident, stating that he had approached Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to use the facility as an office and trade venue for the BIMP-EAGA.
“Late last year, I discussed with the chief minister my desire to relocate the BIMP-EAGA office to the Sabah Trade Centre, citing its abandonment and potential use of the building for BIMP-EAGA exhibitions. The chief minister expressed approval for this proposal.
“Whether plans to develop the Sabah Trade Centre were presented to the cabinet, I was informed by Hajiji that there were none. Subsequently, I took action by writing two letters – one as the BIMP-EAGA special envoy for Sabah and the other as the chairman of Tanjung Aru Eco Development Sdn Bhd (TAED).
“Unexpectedly, the Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry released a statement announcing the government’s decision to reclaim the land,” said Pandikar.
Pandikar and state minister-in-charge Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe were locked in a media debate after the latter cited the lack of an Occupational Certificate (OC) as reason to redevelop the Sabah Trade Centre.
Matters got worse when former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee had also come forward to oppose the state minister’s plans, pointing out the lack of OC was flawed logic.
He indicated that many of the old government buildings in Sabah will have to be redeveloped as they are too without OCs.
“The authorities have been upgrading and raising the standards, but old buildings are still safe to occupy but require time and money to meet these standards,” he said.
The Sabah Trade Centre saw neglect when the initial management company withdrew during the movement control order (MCO) between March 2020 and November 2021.
Discussions about revitalising the centre date back to 2017, highlighting its prime location with 100,000 sq ft spread across two levels, 400 parking spaces, offices, and a cafeteria in the Likas area.
Yet, it has come to light that the centre never acquired the OC since its completion and official opening in 1997.
Phoong, however, maintained he had always been open to ideas and proposals to revitalise the facility, stating he intended to provide a modern, effective centre that could help local small and medium entrepreneurs.
“I welcome the recent idea from SME Sabah president Prof Datuk Foo Ngee Kee, proposing to rejuvenate the STC to become an SME Hub. This aligns perfectly with the ministry’s aspiration and direction.”
“Instead of just patching things up here and there, we want an inclusive rejuvenation that ensures the Sabah Trade Centre is fully functional and supports the growth of SMEs, facilitating meaningful economic exchanges,” he said.
Phoong stated that a previous government had intended to sell the land, but the present state cabinet has decided to reverse the decision in 2023.
“It is important to note that the decision to withdraw the sale of the land, which was initially made a decade ago, reflects the government’s commitment to prioritising the interests of the Sabahan people,” he said. – The Vibes, March 4, 2024
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