'Cement factory in a forest', Bung wants update from Sabah govt

Summary

• Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin urges the state government to provide an update on the proposed construction of a cement factory in a forest in his constituency.

• The Lamag assemblyperson claims he was informed a private company had withdrawn partnership with a state GLC.

Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin has urged the state government to clarify the status of a cement factory that was supposed to be built within a “forest area” in Tongod, Kinabatangan.

The Kinabatangan MP, who is also the Lamag assemblyperson, raised the matter during his debate of Sabah Governor Musa Aman’s policy speech at the state legislative assembly today.

“I would like to ask the government, at one point, the chief minister had announced (plans for) a cement factory in the middle of the forest in between Pinangah and Tongod.

“I want to know what is the status of the factory, because I was informed that the company in collaboration with the state government has withdrawn from the project,” said Bung.

“I was also informed there had been logging activities. I am not sure so I want the government to answer, is it true the cement factory will not be built?” he asked.

He also reiterated he had previously objected to the proposed construction, which was to be in the middle of a forest with no road access, no electricity, and no water.

He claimed an existing facility operating from the Kota Kinabalu Integrated Park is facing difficulties, raising further questions surrounding the proposed project in a remote area of Sabah.

“It is hard to access (the proposed factory) with a car, and if you want to view it, you need a helicopter.

“I don’t know who is involved, but I want an explanation because the people have the right to know,” stressed the former Sabah deputy chief minister.

In August 2023, The Star reported that Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor had witnessed the signing of a joint venture agreement between a Sabah government-linked corporation and a private company, to set-up another company tasked to build and operate an integrated clinker and cement plant.

Hajiji will deliver his winding-up address before the end of the 16th Sabah state legislative assembly sitting, starting today until May 17 - the final session before the upcoming state election which must be called this year.

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