Phoong Jin Zhe
KOTA KINABALU: Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe has instructed Cement Industries Sabah (CIS) to provide regular reports on the situation of its supply chain to his office.
Saying this in a statement today, Phoong pledged he will supervise continuously, enhance oversight and improve communication channels to ensure better transparency.
Responding to the recent shortage of cement supply from Cement Industries Sabah, attributed to significant mechanical failures, the Minister also endorsed the suggestion from the Federation of Chinese Association Sabah (FCAS) President Tan Sri T C Goh who urged CIS to enhance its professionalism and crisis management for sustained cement supply in Sabah.
Phoong said he would collaborate with the company’s management to strengthen public relations and communication, ensuring prompt dissemination of information.
Highlighting the importance of cement as a crucial construction material, Phoong emphasised Sabah’s need for a comprehensive supply chain.
Consequently, he said Sabah plans to invest RM1 billion in establishing a second cement plant with its clinker production, aiming to alleviate the cement supply-demand imbalance and reduce reliance on imported clinker, considering the recent global instability affecting raw material prices.
Phoong assured that the Government would closely monitor Sabah’s cement supply, including CIS’ import operations, to prevent communication delays in the future.
