Kota Kinabalu: A comprehensive student accommodation project with an estimated Gross Development Value (GDV) of RM1.3 billion will be developed on 15 acres at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) at the end of this year.
It would be constructed at a strategic location adjacent to the Faculty of Medicine where 1,610 apartment units would be built to accommodate up to 6,732 local and international students, as well as university staff.
AdvertisementAccording to Muis, the project is to be realised through a joint-venture between the Sabah Islamic Religious Council and Sarawak-based Zecon Berhad.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed, Tuesday, which was approved by the State Cabinet on Nov. 12, 2024.
State Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor, witnessed the signing at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Tuesday.
Representing Muis were its President Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin and Secretary Ramlan Awang Ali, who is also its Chief Executive Officer, while Zecon was represented by its Group Managing Director cum CEO Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad and Chairman of Zecon Engineering Sabah Sdn Bhd, Datuk Abdul Kadir Rosline.
AdvertisementOwnership of the site would remain under Muis following a Build, Lease, Maintain and Transfer (BLMT) development concept.
The project would create 600 jobs in professional, administrative and labour sectors. “It will be implemented in three phases.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Phase 1 consists of building accommodation for students and staff with comfort and functionality while Phase 2 focuses on community centric facilities which includes masjid, kindergarten and nursery; and Phase 3 is a commercial hub with retail shops, service apartments, library, gymnasium, cafes and essential services to enhance convenience.
“The project is dedicated to fostering academic excellence, personal growth and community connection,” according to a statement by Zecon.
Zecon Berhad has extensive experience in the construction, water infrastructure, real estate development, renewable energy and healthcare sectors and resolving completion of more than 40 projects worth RM4.5 billion including building the new campus for Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).
Also present were State Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun, Angkatan Hebat Sdn Bhd Chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Ismail, United Sabah Islamic Organisation (Usia) head Datuk k Sapawi Ahmad and senior officials.
