KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Legislative Assembly was informed that 119 factories, owned by local and foreign investors, in Lahad Datu have a combined investment of RM3.66bil and created 7,305 job opportunities.
State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said that 39 local companies and nine foreign companies are currently operating in the Lahad Datu Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC), with a combined investment of RM2.386bil and creating 1,950 job opportunities.
"In the Silam area alone, five plants are currently in operation, with total investments amounting to RM40 million and generating 334 job opportunities.
"The remaining 66 factories have attracted RM1.2bil in investments and have created 5,021 job opportunities. The presence of these industries in Lahad Datu is certainly contributing to socio-economic growth and strengthening the industrial sector in the area," he said.
Phoong was responding to an oral question from Dumi Pg Masdal (Warisan-Silam), who asked about the number of local and foreign companies operating in Lahad Datu and the number of jobs available for Sabahans.
Phoong said his ministry would present detailed data on the participation rate of locals among those employed in Lahad Datu. – Bernama
