Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is eager to collaborate with the private sector to elevate the State to greater heights.
State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said that among the areas to be explored is economic security, which is crucial in an increasingly interconnected world.
“The global events that have disrupted supply chains, including the Ukraine-Russia war, the China trade war, and the Palestinian-Israel conflict,” he said during a fellowship dinner hosted by the Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) at BMW Regas showroom here.
These disruptions have had ripple effects on the construction sector, he noted.
Phoong said he would bring this concern to the Cabinet, emphasising the necessity of safeguarding the supply chain for raw materials, given its significant impact on the construction industry.
He pointed out that post-Covid steel prices had surged by 30-40 per cent, while cement prices had risen due to a single factory producing cement in Sabah.
Such challenges require immediate attention to secure the state’s economic stability, he added.
He urged Shareda to take the lead in adopting greenhouse gas (GHG) and green building practices to align with international standards.
“The construction sector, being a major contributor to carbon emissions, must adapt to these evolving regulations to reduce its environmental footprint,” said Phoong.
He also urged Shareda to take the lead in proposing constructive agendas for the government to rejuvenate ageing commercial buildings and public housing structures.
Shareda President Datuk Chua Soon Ping emphasised that Sabah’s development could be classified into four core sectors: tourism, industrial, commercial, and residential.
Each sector has its unique challenges and opportunities, making it vital to work closely with both government agencies and industry players to create a thriving and sustainable environment, he said.
Chua revealed Shareda’s plans to venture into international territories, particularly China.
He said Shareda intends to attract foreign direct investments into Sabah to bolster the industrial sector and contribute significantly to the state’s economic growth.
He also echoed Phoong’s call for greenhouse gas (GHG) compliance and green building practices.
Chua said Shareda recognises the importance of embracing sustainable and environmentally responsible development practices and, as such, they express a keen interest in starting an electric vehicle (EV) hub.
Chua shared the association’s plans to utilise local resources, such as the high-purity silica sand from Kudat, to produce tempered glass for solar panels.
“This endeavour could not only promote the use of clean and renewable energy but also provide employment opportunities for the local workforce,” he said.
However, with the introduction of a new energy commission by the Sabah Government, he said Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd would be required to adapt to these changes.
“This shift opens up opportunities for developing solar panels and generating clean energy, not only for self-consumption but also for supplying surplus energy back to the main grid, contributing to the overall energy security of Sabah,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shareda will be having its 45th anniversary themed “The Art of Music: A Night of Harmony” on Nov 3, 2023, at Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort.
