Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is looking to develop a biomass collection centre and is currently drafting the Sabah Biomass Policy to bring it to fruition and lure investors.
Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe said a government-linked company (GLC) would be appointed to manage and collect the biomass.
“By establishing this collection centre, it will create a consistent and continuous supply of feedstock. This will definitely attract investors to invest in this industry in Sabah.
“The biomass industry has great potential especially in producing value-added products. Based on my Ministry’s research, palm oil biomass is not subject to the regulation of any State or Federal Government,” he said in reply to Elopura Assemblyman Calvin Chong during question time on Tuesday.
SPONSORED CONTENT Daily Express members: Enjoy 1 for 1 signature cocktails and more at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu: DAILY EXPRESS is partnering with Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu to offer an exclusive deal for our members. Read more Phoong said in continuation to the policy, the State Government plans to create a biomass-related enactment to ensure that the industry’s regulatory authority is placed under the State Government.
“It is hoped that this effort can attract more investments in this industry and accelerate the growth of Sabah’s industrial sector,” he said.
Phoong said his Ministry had taken proactive steps by paying a courtesy visit to Deputy Prime Minister cum Plantation and Commodity Minister Dato’ Seri Fadillah bin Yusof to discuss the development of Sabah’s downstream palm industry.
“My Ministry will continue to hold discussions with stakeholders to ensure that this downstream industry will continue to grow in Sabah,” he said.
Phoong said the regulatory authority related to the palm oil industry in Malaysia is under the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Act 1998 which includes the upstream and downstream of the palm oil industry.
As such, he said the necessary steps would be taken to ensure that the State’s regulatory body over Sabah’s palm oil industry to be set up in the future would not contradict with the Federal authority.
“I have brought this to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, we have discussed it and we hope we can get the State Government to formulate a principle that does not contract the existing acts.
“We can bring it to the Cabinet meeting on how we can form this body, how it functions well and ensure we do not establish a body that clashes with the MPOB,” said
Phoong when replying to a supplementary question by Sindumin Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusob Yacob who asked what steps would be taken to ensure a smooth facilitation between the MPOB and Sabah’s would-be regulatory body.
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