Aerospace Centre Plan For Sabah
KOTA KINABALU (August 25): Sabah will soon have its own aerospace centre that will produce aircraft parts, among others, according to International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking.
Figure 1: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal(left) and Darell Leiking(right).
“Aerospace industry in the country is monitored and coordinated by the National Aerospace Industry Coordinating Office (Naico) which is under the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI),” he said after a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, at the State Administrative Centre, Friday.
“And this year, the industry managed to gain about RM13 billion in revenue.
“As such, I am thinking of pushing to expand the aerospace industry here…it is almost come to materialisation.
“And if this is successful, one day, we may be producing aircrafts parts.”
He said such centre has begun construction in Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) and it will be further expanded.
“Let’s wait until next month as we are in the process of a negotiation with a major company and if it yields positive result, then it is going to be big in Malaysia.
“And Sabah will also receive some of the spin-off from this venture,” he said.
He said it is timely to bring aerospace industry to the State “so that we can have a fair share of the economic pie.”
“As a Federal minister, I have to be pro for everyone in Malaysia but at the same time, I want to make sure there is fairness between Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula.”
He said the ministry has many plans for Sabah but the amenities and infrastructure in the State should also be improved.
“Once improved, it will not be the case of us looking for investors, but the other way round.”
He also stressed that his ministry and other Federal ministries led by Sabahan leaders will ensure that the State will not be left behind in terms of development, including foreign investment.
“Some said that I had forgotten about my struggle, but that would be impossible as it is deeply rooted in my heart and I have been consistent about it.
“But when I do things, I will do it the right way, furthermore I am now in the government, so I will make sure that Sabah will get the best deal.”
Leiking also disclosed that the State will receive a huge foreign investment in chemical industry which has potential to offer hundreds of employment opportunities in Sabah.
Further information about the investment would be revealed soon.
[Source: “Aerospace centre plan for Sabah” published by Sabah Publishing House Sdn. Bhd.]Photo Credits: Sabah Publishing House Sdn. Bhd.
