KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) has been directed to take the lead in developing Sabah’s side of the Malaysia-Indonesia regional border development, chief minister Hajiji Noor said.
This involves constructing a road connecting the border of Serudong in Kalabakan, Tawau, to Simanggaris in Indonesia following the federal government’s nod to Sabah’s proposal to build a road into Kalimantan, where Indonesia’s new capital will be.
Chairing the SEDIA board of directors meeting at the Sabah administrative centre here today, Hajiji said the approval was conveyed to him by federal economic affairs minister Mustapa Mohamed during a video conference discussion early this month.
Costing some RM600 million, the project includes the construction of a Customs, Immigration, quarantine and security complex at the entry point to the Serudong/Simanggaris checkpoint.
Sabah must do all that is necessary in anticipation of Indonesia moving its capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan, he said in a statement here today.
“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.”
On another note, Hajiji, who is also the state finance minister, told the SEDIA board members to scrutinise and provide feedback on the strategic review of the Sabah Development Corridor Blueprint 2.0 that was tabled during the SEDIA meeting.
At the meeting, SEDIA sought endorsement for the proposed Sapangar Bay Container Port (SBCP) expansion project, before its submission to the Prime Minister’s Department and subsequently for approval from the federal finance ministry.
“The SBCP expansion development is important because it will be a game changer for trade and businesses in this region, especially if SBCP can be transformed into a transhipment hub for this part of the world,” Hajiji said.
Among other matters discussed was Sawit Kinabalu Farm Product Sdn Bhd’s decision to set up its premium Kinabalu beef and edible bird nest production plant at the Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct (SAIP) in Kimanis.
Hajiji said the company, a subsidiary of Sawit Kinabalu, would be investing RM4 million in SAIP and that this was expected to create 500 job opportunities as well as economic spin-offs.
Earlier, he welcomed two new members to the SEDIA board, namely Sabah Attorney-General Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof and Kota Kinabalu mayor Noorliza Awang Alip.
Hajiji also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between SEDIA and Sawit Kinabalu for the setting up of the beef and bird nest production plant in SAIP. - FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.