Steel project row heats up as minister's aide flays Warisan rep

Summary

• Chan Loong Wei rips into Warisan assemblyperson Calvin Chong for “repeatedly launching irresponsible attacks”.

• He accuses Chong of politicising steel project issue, distorting facts and misleading the public.

An aide to Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe has condemned Warisan assemblyperson Calvin Chong for “repeatedly launching irresponsible attacks” over the Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd project.

Chan Loong Wei said the strategic and transformational RM31 billion investment is set to reshape Sabah’s industrial landscape and create thousands of job opportunities for our local talents.

“If Chong is genuinely curious or wishes to seek accountability, I challenge him to raise this matter in the upcoming state assembly sitting. That is his platform as an elected representative.

“But let’s be honest - during the Sandakan EV assembly plant debate, he was vocal on social media and even in the press. Yet when given the chance to speak up in the assembly, he stayed completely silent.

“Why? Because deep down, he knows the project is beneficial to the people. He was simply acting populist for the cameras - not for the people,” he added in a statement.

Chan (above, left) said instead of welcoming the historic Esteel investment, Chong has chosen to “politicise the matter, distort facts, and mislead the public”.

“Are Chong and Warisan against industrialisation and economic growth? Every time the government works hard to bring in credible investors, you show up not with solutions, but with irresponsible sentiments.

“Politicising foreign and domestic investment is not only reckless but also damaging to Sabah’s reputation,” he added in a statement.

Real credentials and capital

Chan chided the Elopura assemblyperson for attacking Esteel Enterprise, a company owned by a credible Chinese businessperson that also founded a “Top 100 Private Company” in China in 2023.

“They have real credentials and real capital. In fact, their acquisition of Southern Steel Berhad, Penang in October 2024 was widely reported in Sin Chew Daily and other business media.

“For an elected representative to not even do basic research before launching an attack is not only unacceptable, but also reflects a deep incapability to understand the fundamentals of investment facilitation.

“It is also offending the professionalism of the bodies and civil servants that carry out due diligence in both federal and state governments,” he added.

Urging the people of Sandakan and Sabah to judge for themselves, Chan asked if this is the kind of leadership they want for the state.

“How are we going to drive development and growth with elected representatives of such standards?

“Politics is not about acting heroic or populist. It is about working sincerely to bring meaningful, progressive changes for the people,” he added.

Chan said it is “unacceptable and ridiculous” to continuously politicise investors and strategic projects, without offering viable alternatives.

“It sends the wrong message to investors and risks damaging Sabah’s reputation on the global stage.

“Therefore, I strongly condemn Chong. He should stop using investment matters for cheap political mileage. His actions do not just harm the government, but they also jeopardise the confidence of current and future investors.

“If this continues, we will all bear the consequences,” he added.

Earlier, Malaysiakini reported the Warisan assemblyperson questioning how the project schedule for the steel manufacturing plant was made based on assumptions.

He accused the minister, who is also Sabah DAP chief, of misleading the public.

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