Phoong Jin Zhe
KOTA KINABALU: Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe welcomed the announcement by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor that Sawit Kinabalu will pioneer a Green Technology Park (GTP) in Sandakan, marking a new milestone in Sabah’s green industrial development.
The Chief Minister witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sawit Kinabalu, through its subsidiary Sawit Palm Oil Industrial Cluster Sdn. Bhd. (SPOIC), and Nextgreen Global Berhad (NGGB), to invest in and establish a GTP in Sandakan.
This industrial park will feature a palm oil biomass collection and processing centre (CPC), a pulp mill, a raw water treatment plant and a steam boiler.
Phoong praised Nextgreen Global Berhad for their decision to invest in the GTP in Sandakan following their success in Pahang.
“This includes using palm oil biomass, such as empty fruit bunches, to produce green products like pulp and paper. This aligns with Sabah’s goal of promoting green industrialisation and is a result of the biomass policy launched by the State Government last year,” said Phoong.
He also highlighted the excellent downstream industrial potential of palm oil biomass, capable of producing various high-value products.
“This is why the State Government has introduced a biomass policy, including the implementation of a biomass state sales tax this year. This policy aims to reduce the export of raw biomass materials and retain biomass as an industrial raw material in Sabah, fostering the development of Sabah’s green industry and creating job opportunities, especially in the biomass resource-rich east coast, including Sandakan and Lahad Datu,” he explained.
Phoong believes this initiative will not only bring green development opportunities and recognition to Sabah but also create job opportunities and business prospects for Sandakan, driving economic growth.
He thanked Federal Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister, Datuk Chan Foong Hin for his significant efforts in coordinating this investment project.
Chan first disclosed the project in March in response to a question from Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong in Parliament, and in April, he discussed the biomass policy with the State Government at POIC Lahad Datu.
Phoong also commended the efforts of Sawit Kinabalu Group and praised Vivian for her continuous advocacy for better development in Sandakan.
He assured that he and his Ministry will work closely with investors and various agencies to ensure the investment is realised and bring benefits to the people of Sandakan and Sabah.
