Latest news with #EsteelEnterpriseSabahSdnBhd
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
‘Elopura YB's claims of EIA re-approval unfounded'
Published on: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 16, 2025 Text Size: Chan stressed that the approval process followed legal procedures and standard coordination protocols, denying any ministerial interference as alleged by the opposition representative. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government has refuted claims by Elopura Assemblyman Calvin Chong regarding the re-approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd jetty project at the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip). Political Secretary to the Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Chan Loong Wei, said the allegations were unfounded and reflected a lack of understanding of standard investment procedures. Advertisement He said reviewing and updating a previously approved EIA is a normal requirement for major infrastructure projects, especially when there are changes in the original design. 'In this case, the revised EIA report was approved by the Sabah Environmental Protection Department (JPAS) in May 2025, following modifications to the jetty design that differed from the version approved in early 2024,' he said in a statement, Tuesday. Chan stressed that the approval process followed legal procedures and standard coordination protocols, denying any ministerial interference as alleged by the opposition representative. He also urged the opposition to refrain from politicising strategic investments, warning that negative narratives could damage investor confidence in Sabah as a stable and business-friendly destination. 'The State Government remains committed to ensuring all investments are conducted transparently, responsibly and in the interest of the people,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sabah reps clash over steel mega project controversy
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's two-day state assembly began on a fiery note after an argument erupted between an opposition Parti Warisan assemblyman and a state minister. The clash was sparked by the ongoing controversy surrounding a RM31bil steel investment project by Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd. During Question Time, Calvin Chong (Warisan-Elopura) suddenly interjected in Hakka, repeatedly asking 'Ngai cho coi lai hang?' ('Where did I go wrong?'), after state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe (DAP-Luyang) accused him of failing to submit a formal question about the project to the assembly. Phoong, the Sabah DAP chairman, accused Chong of not submitting a formal question to the assembly, but instead had chosen to 'make noise' outside the House. The heated exchange over the Esteel Enterprise project in Sipitang's Oil and Gas Industrial Park reflected escalating political tensions as the state assembly nears the end of its five-year term on Nov 11. Chong lodged a police report on the project last month, alleging failure in the implementation of the project. Despite repeated calls by Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya for both assemblymen to sit down, the shouting match continued until he moved on to the next question. The Sabah assembly also passed a whopping RM1.86bil in additional funding to address longstanding issues related to water supply and road infrastructure under the 2025 Supplementary Supply Bill tabled by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. Masidi said the extra money of RM523.5mil was for solving the state's persistent water and road problems while the remaining RM600mil was for statutory fund contributions, RM204mil for administrative expenses, RM195mil for operational needs and RM84mil for domestic grants. In winding up the debates, Masidi said that all allocations under the Supplementary Bill were accounted for, and would benefit the people and help finance infrastructure development plans. State Opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) questioned the need for such a high supplementary budget as the state had already approved RM6.7bil for Sabah Budget 2025. He said that Sabah's total spending was almost RM8bil this year, yet there had been little tangible returns for the rakyat. 'We are spending billions but how much revenue are we actually generating? 'With this scale of spending, I believe Sabah is now facing a serious deficit,' he said when debating the Supplementary Bill. 'We will do a full audit to find out where the money was used,' he added. Mohd Shafie added that every sen of public funds spent must see measurable outcomes, such as job creation and income generation or directly solve issues affecting people's daily lives, particularly the persistent water and electricity problems in rural areas. 'The people don't want luxury, they just want basic necessities like water to drink and shower with, and use the toilet,' he said. The assembly sitting continues today.
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Esteel's investment reflects confidence in Sabah's economy
KOTA KINABALU: Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd's (Esteel) move to increase its investment and expand its operational capacity is proof of its continued confidence in Sabah's economic growth prospects, said Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. Speaking at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly here today, he said this was demonstrated through the company's signing of a Land Lease Agreement for the development of Phases 2 and 3 of its RM31 billion integrated green steel manufacturing plant project at the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP) last year. The green steel project uses natural gas as a reducing agent instead of coke and coal, thus reducing carbon emissions by 70 per cent and making it low-carbon, efficient, and environmentally friendly. "After acquiring the manufacturing licence in January, the company has taken proactive measures to ensure the continued progress of its investment at SOGIP," he said in response to a question from Datuk Jannie Lasimbang (PH–Kapayan) regarding the latest developments in the company's investment. He added that in February, Esteel, a subsidiary of Singapore's Green Esteel Pte Ltd, inked a Natural Gas Supply Agreement with the Sabah Energy Corporation and Petronas to secure a stable supply of natural gas and energy resources to support the plant's operation. In May, the company kicked off Phase 1 of the project, which entailed an investment of RM6.4 billion. Several other key milestones have also been achieved, including approval of the factory's development plan by the Sipitang District Council, approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report, and approval of the Earthworks Plan. "To accelerate the construction of the factory, Esteel has finalised an agreement with the appointed company to carry out land clearing and site preparation works, which are currently underway," Phoong said. He noted that the company is optimistic that by July or August this year, physical transformation of the site will become visibly significant, signalling tangible progress and sustained commitment to realising the development of an integrated green steel industry in Sabah. "My ministry remains fully committed to coordinating and facilitating the implementation of this investment to expedite the commencement of the factory's operations. This, in turn, will spur growth in Sabah's manufacturing sector and create more job opportunities for the locals," he added.
The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
'Ask formally instead of making noise outside': Row erupts in Sabah assembly over mega project
KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah opposition assemblyman lapsed into Hakka during a heated argument with state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe during Monday's (July 7) legislative assembly sitting. Calvin Chong (Warisan-Elopura) repeatedly asked what he had done wrong after Phoong accused him of not submitting a formal question to the assembly but resorting to press statements and police reports. "Ngai cho coi lai hang (where did I do wrong)?" he asked several times. During their back-and-forth, Chong asked why he was wrong to question the matter as an assemblyman, while Phoon said a formal question should have been submitted instead of "making noise outside". The exchange was sparked during question time when Phoong was giving his reply on the Esteel investment development, as well as to queries about why the investment capital had increased. Chong had lodged a police report on the project last month, alleging failure in the implementation of a RM31bil steel manufacturing and processing project by Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip). In his report filed in Sandakan, Chong claimed that his inspection of the site with fellow assemblyman Justin Wong (Warisan-Sri Tanjong) on June 10 found no visible construction activity. Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya then asked both assemblymen to calm down, but was ignored until he ordered that they proceed to the next question. Earlier, in giving updates on the Esteel project to Datuk Jannie Lasimbang (PH-Kapayan), Phoong said its Federal Manufacturing Licence (FML) was received at the end of January. 'In February, Esteel sealed a natural gas supply agreement with the Sabah Energy Corporation and Petronas, conducted a contractor bidding tender process in March and April, and sealed the Phase 1 Jetty construction contract with a Chinese company on May 30,' he said. Other matters, such as approval for the green steel manufacturing construction development plan, environmental impact assessment (EIA) report approval and earthworks plan, among others, were subsequently completed, he added. Phoong also said that the physical development of the project would begin either this month or in August. Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) then asked how mega investors have the confidence to invest in multi-billion-ringgit projects in Sabah when stable infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity supply, as well as sufficient manpower, are lacking. He also asked why domestic investors were not given priority in these projects, with more opportunities seen to be given to foreign investors instead. Phoong said it is the state's policy to accept and welcome investors from abroad while also making sure that local investors have the same opportunity to be part of any projects as long as they are capable and qualified.
Malaysiakini
13-06-2025
- Malaysiakini
Warisan rep files police report over delayed RM31b oil and gas project
Warisan assemblyperson Calvin Chong has lodged a police report over an alleged failure to implement an RM31 billion steel manufacturing and processing project by Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip). In his report filed at the Sandakan police station, Chong claimed that his inspection of the site alongside Sri Tanjong assemblyperson Justin Wong on June 10 showed no visible construction activity.
