Hajiji (centre) witnessing the exchange of documents between Adzmir and Li.
KOTA KINABALU: China-based Kibing Group has committed to build a new RM7.2bil solar glass manufacturing plant in the Kimanis area, about 40km south of the Sabah capital, with the exchange of documents with two state government-linked companies.
The first was the exchange of the sublease agreement between the group’s subsidiary SBH Kibing Solar New Energy (M) Sdn Bhd and Fokasrama Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Sawit Kinabalu Group.The sublease agreement will pave the way for the development of a state-of-the-art solar glass manufacturing plant, set to become one of the largest facilities of its kind in the region.
The second exchange of documents was for the heads of agreement between SBH Kibing Solar New Energy (M) Sdn Bhd and Sabah Energy Corp Sdn Bhd (SEC) to supply 45 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas to support the new factory’s operations.
As Sabah’s primary natural gas provider, SEC continues to play an important role in driving regional economic growth through reliable and cleaner energy solutions.
SBH Kibing had earlier inked a memorandum of understanding with the Sabah government in June to expand its investment in Sabah.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who witnessed the exchange of documents, said the new investment was significant in generating further economic growth for Sabah.
“It will also create employment opportunities for the local communities,” he said.
The development of the plant is part of SBH Kibing’s plan aimed at expanding Sabah’s renewable energy infrastructure, enhancing its global solar energy market position, and complementing the company’s existing plant at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP).
The new solar glass facility also highlighted Kibing’s commitment to renewable energy growth within Sabah and establishing a key manufacturing site in the state.
Representing Fokasrama Sdn Bhd was Sawit Kinabalu group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Victor Ationg, while SBH Kibing was represented by its chairman William Chen.
Representing SEC was its chief executive officer Datuk Adzmir Abd Rahman and deputy managing director Celine Li for SBH Kibing.
Also present were state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, SEC chairman Datuk Annuar Ayub, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and senior officials representing the signing parties.
The Kibing Group has already invested more than RM3bil in the silica sand processing plant and solar glass manufacturing plant in KKIP.
