Hajiji, together with the top management of Sawit Kinabalu, showing SKT3 (Sawit Kinabalu Tocotrienols), a high-quality natural Vitamin E supplement extracted from crude palm oil, during a visit to the Kunak Lipids Phytonutrient Extraction Plant off Jalan Jeti Pelabuhan, Kunak, today.
KUNAK: The Sabah Government will continue to fight for outstanding claims and issues under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including the demand for a 40 per cent share of net revenue that is rightfully owed to Sabah.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the matter would be discussed at the upcoming MA63 meeting, which will be chaired by the Prime Minister this Friday, with Sabah hosting the session.
“In that meeting, we will discuss matters that are still being claimed or issues that have yet to be resolved under the MA63,” he told reporters after a working visit to the Kunak Lipids Sdn Bhd Phytonutrient Extraction Plant here today.
Hajiji said the Sabah Government is grateful to the Prime Minister, as under his administration, nine MA63-related matters have been settled and relevant powers have been devolved to Sabah.
“Previously, there were four items, so altogether 13 items have been resolved. However, there are still other matters, including the 40 per cent payment,” he said.
According to him, the Federal Government has agreed to the 40 per cent revenue claim, but a number of technical issues still need to be ironed out.
“They have agreed, but there may be some technical problems that have been raised. This is a normal process because there is an appeals procedure, but it does not affect the decision for us to receive the 40 per cent payment,” he said.
Hajiji added that outstanding matters would be brought back for further consideration at the next MA63 meeting or negotiations.
In a related development concerning the state’s economic progress, Hajiji also welcomed the advancement of the Kunak Lipids Phytonutrient Extraction Plant project, which is nearing completion and is expected to begin producing vitamin E before the end of this year.
He said the plant represents a positive development as an ancillary activity and business venture for the Sawit Kinabalu Group, using palm-based raw materials in its production.
“I am very pleased to have heard the briefing earlier from Sawit Kinabalu and its partner company, because this plant, built to produce vitamin E, is nearly finished and will start production before the year ends.
“This is a very good development, both as an activity and as a side business for the Sawit Kinabalu Group. All of this is produced from palm-based materials and so on,” he said.
Hajiji said the project is believed to be the first of its kind in Malaysia and is expected to help boost the revenue of Sawit Kinabalu and its partner company.
“I think this is the first in Malaysia. So this is a great development. Hopefully, it will increase the output of Sawit Kinabalu and its joint-venture partner,” he said.
Earlier, Hajiji and his delegation were welcomed upon arrival at the plant by Sawit Kinabalu Chairman Datuk Haji Hazem Mubarak Tun Dr Musa and Group Managing Director cum Chief Executive Officer of Sawit Kinabalu Group, Datuk Victor Ationg.
Kunak Lipids Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary of the Sawit Kinabalu Group that operates the Phytonutrient Extraction Plant in Kunak.
