The Sabah government, through Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, confirmed that no investors have withdrawn from the controversial cement factory project in Tongod, with all stakeholders, including Borneo Cement (Sabah) Sdn Bhd, remaining committed. The project site in Kawayoi Pinangah has approval for earthworks, but full construction awaits Environmental Impact Assessment approval.
The factory, to be built by Sinoma Industrial Engineering (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, received its manufacturing licence in 2023. It is expected to produce 1.75 million metric tonnes of cement annually, with 1.2 million tonnes for local use and the rest for export.
Phoong dismissed claims of investor withdrawal and new logging activities, raised by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin. Additionally, he clarified that Sabah prioritizes local processing of silica sand for industries like solar glass production, with no exports allowed, addressing concerns from Sarifuddin Hata about listed silica sand revenue in the 2025 state budget.
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