KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah government should not be made “suckers” for massive projects, said Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, in an apparent swipe at recent reports of “big announcements” involving foreign interests investing in the state.
The state finance minister said he had noticed the state government has been implicated in “big announcements” involving multi-billion-ringgit mega projects and foreign investments in recent weeks, reminding these parties to be more careful when making such matters public as there are processes before such announcements can be made.
“I want to make this reminder because I have read stories of big announcements over the course of the last two weeks.
“I think we should be more careful when making such announcements. We only do announcements after some basic evaluations have been done.
“This means if it involves foreign investors, the common practice is to screen them through ministries like the Industrial Trade and Industry Ministry and subsequently, Sabah’s Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry so basic matters can be resolved before any announcements can be made,” said Masidi.
He added that making premature declarations without taking Sabah’s infrastructure capabilities like electricity, roads, and water into consideration will affect the state’s reputation.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, who was in Dubai, concurred with Masidi, stating that all major foreign and domestic investments must be fully vetted, and official announcements only issued by the state government once all criteria are met.
Referring to his recent meeting with a group of investors, he said no decisions have been made.
“All proposals have to be scrutinised before the state government makes announcements,” he said in a statement.
Hajiji was referring to reports in a local daily that China’s Gezhouba Group has expressed interest in building a RM4 billion hydropower generation plant capable of producing up to 1,000 megawatt in Liwagu, Ranau with a local partner.
Another report from the same daily suggested that another China firm expressed its interest in building an industrial park in Kimanis named Sabah International Industrial Park with a local partner. – The Vibes, March 16, 2023
