KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Sabah (MIDE), continued his “Jelajah Santuni Industri Tempatan MIDE” initiative today with visits to five manufacturing facilities within the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP).
Accompanying the Minister were Richard Lim, President of the Federation of Sabah Industries (FSI), Mrs. Cecilia Amid, Group Senior Vice President of KKIP, and senior officers from the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR).
The factories visited included Johor Bahru Flour Mill Sdn Bhd, Hock Min Coffee Factory Sdn Bhd, Sajiria Sdn Bhd, C&F Enterprise Sdn Bhd, and Borneo Flexible Packaging Sdn Bhd.
“I am committed to visiting as many local manufacturers as possible by the end of this year,” stated Phoong Jin Zhe.
“My goal is to be on the ground, to fully understand the challenges faced by our local manufacturers. Together with my ministry and the agencies under MIDE, we are dedicated to providing the necessary support to help our local manufacturers upscale and expand. Each manufacturer operates within a unique ecosystem, and by engaging directly with them, we can better tailor our efforts to meet their needs. Sabah has the potential to become a major export-orientated state, and it is crucial that we support our local industries to realise this potential.”
“Last year, my ministry, via DIDR, approved grants for the purchase of new machinery for Hock Min Coffee Factory Sdn Bhd and Sajiria Sdn Bhd to help increase their production capacity and scale up their business,” announced Phoong.
“I am pleased to see both machines in use, contributing to the growth of these local manufacturers.”
During his visit to C&F Enterprise Sdn Bhd, Phoong met with Mr. Chan Kheng Khoon, the company’s owner, whose renowned local snack brand, Hari-Hari, has achieved significant international success, with 50% of its turnover derived from exports to over 20 countries, including key markets in the Middle East and South Korea.
“I am proud to see our local products making inroads into international markets,” Phoong remarked.
“Let’s work together to further expand these markets, particularly into China and Africa in the near future.”
At Johor Bahru Flour Mill Sdn Bhd, Phoong was given a comprehensive tour of the facility by Managing Director Mr. Soh Kian Kiat. The Minister underscored the importance of bolstering the local wheat flour ecosystem, especially as Sabah is Malaysia’s third most populous state.
“There is a significant demand for wheat-based products in Sabah, and I encourage our local eateries to source their flour locally to strengthen our domestic ecosystem,” he emphasized. “
During his visit to Hock Min Coffee Factory Sdn Bhd, a family-run business producing 1 to 2 tonnes of coffee powder for local consumption, Phoong highlighted the potential for growth within Sabah’s coffee industry. He suggested examining the entire supply chain, noting that Sabah could position itself to produce and export premium coffee beans.
The Minister also facilitated a connection between Mr. Lawrence Lee, owner of Hock Min Coffee, and the Borneo Coffee Alliance, a subsidiary of FSI, aimed at promoting Sabah’s coffee products both domestically and internationally.
Phoong also expressed his appreciation to Mr. Macellus Michael, owner of Sajiria Sdn Bhd, and Mr. Law Chai Soon, Managing Director of Borneo Flexible Packaging Sdn Bhd, for their support and collaboration during the visits.
“As we continue our efforts to strengthen and support local industries, I look forward to extending my tour to other local manufacturing sectors across Sabah.
The Sabah government remains steadfast in our commitment to working hand-in-hand with industry players to achieve this vision,” Phoong concluded.
So far, Phoong has visited a total of 20 manufacturers in KKIP, Inanam, Penampang, Kunak, and Tawau.
