KOTA KINABALU – The road connecting Serudong in Tawau to Indonesia’s Simanggaris has gotten the approval of the federal government, following Jakarta’s decision to relocate the capital city to Kalimantan.
Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the matter was conveyed by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Economic Affairs Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed today, adding that the Sabah Economic and Investment Authority (Sedia) will be developing the project proposed by the state.
Hajiji said this after chairing the Sedia board of directors meeting at the state administrative complex here.
The project, estimated to cost RM600 million, includes a Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) Complex at the Serudong-Simanggaris border checkpoint.
“We must do the necessary in anticipation of Indonesia moving its capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan,” Hajiji said, adding that it was imperative for Sedia to play a major role in the realisation of the project.
“I wish to reiterate that Sedia needs to continuously play an active role in the planning and implementation of high-impact projects, as well as to attract more investors into the state.”
The Indonesian government plans to relocate its capital city from Jakarta to East Kalimantan, near Balikpapan or Samarinda city, amid reports that almost half of Jakarta city sits below sea level.
On another development, Sedia is seeking state endorsement for the Sepanggar Bay container port expansion, before the project is proposed to Putrajaya for approval and funding.
“The port expansion development is important because it will be a game changer for trade and businesses in this region, especially if container ports can be transformed into a transhipment hub for this part of the world," he said.
At the meeting, Hajiji also witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Sedia and Sawit Kinabalu for the setting up of beef and bird nest production plants.
State-linked company Sawit Kinabalu Farm Product Sdn Bhd plans to set up its Premium Kinabalu Beef and edible bird nest production plant at the Sabah Agro Industrial Precinct (SAIP) in Kimanis.
Sawit Kinabalu will be investing RM4 million into SAIP for the purpose and some 500 jobs are expected to be created. – The Vibes, March 11, 2021
