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The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Sabah aims for 100% local oil and gas roles
KOTA KINABALU: A 100% increase in oil and gas services and equipment (OGSE) contracts has been set aside for Sabahan companies this year, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. The Sabah Chief Minister said the target set by the state government in collaboration with PETRONAS and industry partners has one clear objective, which is to have 100% of non-technical roles and at least 80% of technical roles in the OGSE sector to be filled by Sabahans. 'These targets reflect our firm commitment to strengthening local participation and building a resilient, homegrown energy ecosystem,' he said at the 12th Sabah Oil, Gas and Energy Conference and Exhibition at the Sabah International Convention Centre here yesterday. State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe delivered Hajiji's speech. He said in 2021, the total contracts awarded to Sabahan companies for local oil and gas services jobs stood at RM341mil, but by the end of last year, the figure soared to over RM2bil for jobs awarded both in and outside Sabah. He said Sabah's oil and gas industry is an essential pillar of the state's economic growth, and continues to play a pivotal role for Malaysia, contributing nearly 40% of the country's oil production and about 20% of its gas output. Hajiji, however, believes that Sabah's role must extend beyond mere production. 'We aspire for Sabah to become a centre of excellence for OGSE innovation and sustainable energy practices and a hub where investment, talent and technology converge to create long-term value,' he said. Hajiji also said the state government, through SMJ Energy, has taken decisive steps in securing equity in key upstream and downstream assets, including the Samarang PSC and the Samur petrochemical plant, as well as interests in exploration blocks SB403, SB409, SB306A and SB306B. He said Sabah Energy Corporation has also strengthened its position as Malaysia's largest domestic supplier and transporter of natural gas, following its successful takeover of PETRONAS' onshore gas contracts here. 'I wish to take this opportunity to thank PETRONAS and all our operating partners in Sabah for your continuous efforts, commitment and investment in local content development,' he said.
Daily Express
28-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Smart Lifestyle Expo kicks off at Sabah International Convention Centre
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Amos (centre) with Monica (third, left), Cleopatra (second, left), and invited guests. Kota Kinabalu: The Smart Lifestyle Expo (SLE) 2025 opened at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here, on Friday, offering a three-day exhibition on wellness, smart living and innovation for the public. Held in collaboration with SWWICE 2025 (Sustainable Wholistic Wellness International Conference and Expo), the event featured more than 300 booths and activities, running from June 27 to 29 with free entry. The expo was officiated by State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. Phoong said the initiative aligned with the ministry's mission to foster entrepreneurship, support creative industries and strengthen the local economy through innovation and wellbeing. 'Let us continue to support and celebrate initiatives like this that are homegrown, forward-thinking and inclusive. 'These efforts will drive progress not only for our economy but also for the wellbeing of our people,' he said. His speech was delivered by his Public Relations Secretary Amos Thien. SLE Organising Chairperson Monica Shiau said the expo aimed to provide real-life solutions that could benefit both families and businesses. 'This wasn't just a product showcase. It was a space for people to learn, explore and discover what works for their lifestyle,' she said. Among the key highlights were the GoGlobal international business matching session, a Business Innovation Forum and the launch of the Decakila 3-on-3 Basketball Cup. The exhibition also featured themed zones focused on smart homes, ergonomic living, nutrition, mental health support, family wellness and children's creativity. 'We wanted the expo to be practical and engaging. From business networking to meaningful family time,' Monica said. SWWICE Organising Chairperson Cleopatra Lajawai said the event reflected a broader movement to promote balanced and sustainable living through local partnerships. 'This expo was more than an exhibition. It was a movement that brought together the 10 Pillars of Sustainable Wholistic Wellness to support individuals, families and communities,' she said. Exhibitors included Lorenzo, Oppein, Homemart, PC Image, 360, Eu Yan Sang, AMSPA, JQ Blind Massage, Bao Zi Tang and several Sabah-based SMEs. The event attracted steady foot traffic throughout the day, with a wide range of visitors engaging in interactive programmes and product demonstrations. Fitness showcases, family zones and daily talks by wellness and business experts added to the hands-on experience for all ages. The public were encouraged to attend the remaining days of the expo, which continued until Sunday, with daily activities from 10am to 8pm. Also present were Novas Academy Director Datuk Karen Lee, Decakila Marketing Director Arnold Chan, QiMag Global Team and Grandmaster Dr Jes TY Lim and invited guests from industry and wellness sectors. * 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
Daily Express
27-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Wellness, innovation take centre stage at Smart Lifestyle Expo
Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 27, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Amos (centre) with Monica (third, left), Cleopatra (second, left) and invited guests. - Pic by Jessie Lee | Daily Express KOTA KINABALU: The Smart Lifestyle Expo (SLE) 2025 opened at the Sabah International Convention Centre on Friday, offering a three-day public showcase on wellness, smart living and innovation. Held alongside SWWICE 2025, the event features over 300 booths and activities, running until Sunday with free entry. State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, in a speech delivered by his Public Relations Secretary, Amos Thien, said the expo supports entrepreneurship, the creative industries, and wellbeing. Organising chairperson Monica Shiau said the event aims to offer practical lifestyle solutions for both families and businesses. Key highlights include international business networking, a business innovation forum, fitness showcases and themed wellness zones for all ages. * 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
Daily Express
25-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Phoong on likely cause of Sabah's unusually high 2023 trade figure
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: Phoong said based on Mida's trend line, Sabah's trade performance in 2024 actually improved from pre-pandemic levels in 2019 and 2020, which were in the RM36 billion to RM40 billion range. Kota Kinabalu: The unusually high trade figure recorded by Sabah in 2023 is likely due to a single transaction and does not reflect the actual performance of the State's economy. State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said he has formally written to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) seeking a clarification over the sudden spike, which saw Sabah's total trade value rise to RM158 billion that year, a sharp increase from previous years. 'If you look at the trend from 2019 to 2022, Sabah's trade consistently hovered between RM36 billion and RM58 billion. But in 2023, it suddenly jumped to RM158 billion. That is very unusual,' he said. He said initial checks suggest the increase may be linked to a single entry of goods related to a large-scale investment project, which does not reflect long-term trends. Phoong noted that Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) figures offer a more consistent view of Sabah's trade performance, recording RM52.1 billion in 2023 and a 2.9pc increase to RM53.6 billion in 2024. 'This shows the State's economic fundamentals remain stable and positive,' he said. Advertisement He explained that while both DOSM and Mida reports tally at the national level, showing total Malaysian trade at RM2.6 trillion in 2023 and RM2.9 trillion in 2024, there is a discrepancy of over RM100 billion in Sabah's data alone. 'That's why I have written officially to the DOSM Director to request an explanation. I am still waiting for their reply.' Phoong said the difference may lie in how the agencies record trade activity, noting that some methods may count goods at points of exit such as ports or airports, which can distort the location attribution in State-level data. He warned that misreading the 2024 figures in comparison to 2023 could lead to a false conclusion that Sabah's economy is in decline. 'You can't simply compare 2024 to 2023 and call it a collapse. If one year is abnormally high due to a unique transaction, and the next year returns to the long-term average, it doesn't mean the economy has shrunk — it means the previous figure was an outlier.' Phoong said based on Mida's trend line, Sabah's trade performance in 2024 actually improved from pre-pandemic levels in 2019 and 2020, which were in the RM36 billion to RM40 billion range. He urged all parties to interpret trade statistics in context and avoid politicising the numbers. 'Even if the DOSM number is technically correct, it doesn't reflect the actual ground situation in Sabah. The picture painted by that one year gives a misleading impression.' 'We welcome scrutiny, but it must be fair and based on consistent data,' he said. Previously, Sabah Umno Information Chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir had criticised the State Government for failing to stimulate economic growth, citing DOSM figures that showed Sabah's exports fell by RM59.3 billion in 2024 and claiming that imports had also dropped sharply. * 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
Daily Express
21-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Manufacturing: Sabah leads with RM7.3 billion investors
Published on: Saturday, June 21, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 21, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Phoong said SMEs must shift towards becoming small and medium industries (SMIs) that produce export-ready goods. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah recorded RM7.3 billion in manufacturing investments in the first quarter this year, making it Malaysia's top destination for the sector. State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said Sabah also ranked third overall in total investments across all sectors, adding that the next step is to empower local SMEs to industrialise and compete globally. 'This is a positive sign that Sabah is gaining traction, but we cannot just rely on external investment. Our local businesses must participate in this growth and move beyond being just small,' he said, when officiating the SME Sabah Conference 2025, Friday. Phoong said SMEs must shift towards becoming small and medium industries (SMIs) that produce export-ready goods. 'We must create, not just consume. We need more products made in Sabah, exported from Sabah,' he said. To support this, he said the State Government has allocated RM15 million this year to help small businesses acquire machinery, adopt automation and scale up operations. Advertisement 'This budget is meant to support our smallest players, to help them upgrade and grow,' he said. He also noted that Sabah's export volume rose by 11 per cent up to May, indicating an increasingly stronger industrial base. 'This shows that when we build capacity, Sabah can move toward becoming an export-driven economy. We cannot depend on imports forever,' he said. The conference was officially recognised by the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), which he said affirms the quality and technical relevance of the discussions held. 'To our engineers and technical experts, your knowledge is vital in strengthening Sabah's industrial ecosystem,' Phoong said. He announced the development of a 100-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Lahad Datu, the largest in Southeast Asia. 'The project will help stabilise Sabah's power grid and meet the rising demands of an expanding industrial sector,' He also welcomed AirAsia's new Kota Kinabalu-Taipei-Fukuoka route, saying it would benefit both the tourism and investment sectors. 'It's not just about tourists. More direct connectivity means more investors and business travellers can easily access Sabah,' he added. However, he voiced concern over upcoming federal policies that could increase costs for SMEs, including the rationalisation of RON95 and diesel subsidies, SST expansion and the Sabah Labour Ordinance set to take effect July 1. 'We should not implement all these policies simultaneously. Each must be carefully reviewed to determine which should move forward, which should be postponed and which need to be re-evaluated,' he said. Phoong said he had raised these concerns during a national SME consultation chaired by Datuk Ewon Benedick and welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's openness to policy reviews. He said Sabah's unemployment rate had dropped to 6.7 per cent in the first quarter, down from 8 per cent last year, and noted that companies such as ConocoPhillips have reaffirmed investment in the State. 'This tells us the economy is moving forward and investor confidence is returning,' he said. Phoong concluded on a light note, saying employers are now looking for the right people and so are voters. 'I've done my best and I'm ready to renew my contract,' 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
