Warisan's action is damaging: Phoong
Published on: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Published on: Sat, Jun 14, 2025
By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: Phoong (left) criticised Chong's (right) approach, saying the matter should have been raised in the State Assembly or through official channels, not with the police. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe condemned Elopura Assemblyman Calvin Chong's police report against the RM31 billion Esteel steel project in Sipitang, calling it 'bizarre' and damaging to investor confidence. Chong, from Parti Warisan, lodged the report on Friday after claiming there was no visible progress at the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP), following a visit with Sri Tanjong Assemblyman Justin Wong.
Advertisement Phoong criticised Chong's approach, saying the matter should have been raised in the State Assembly or through official channels, not with the police. 'With that kind of attitude, it's no wonder why investors are hesitant to come to Sabah,' he said. He reaffirmed that the Esteel project is legitimate, vetted by federal agencies, and officially launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on May 30. Phoong added the project secured a Federal Manufacturing Licence in January, signed a gas supply deal with Sabah Energy and Petronas in February, and awarded a jetty construction contract to China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) in May. Esteel, he said, paid RM35 million in deposit and signed a sublease agreement with Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation and construction is expected to begin by July or August. He said delays were attributed to a federal moratorium on new steel licences due to global oversupply but Esteel was the only project granted an exemption which reflected strong federal confidence. He warned that Chong's actions could scare away genuine investors. 'If you question the project, come to the State Assembly. Ask me directly, I am prepared to answer. But making a police report implies that the government or investor is lying. That is serious and completely uncalled for. 'No other state would treat an investor this way. Actions like this could set back Sabah's hard-won investment gains. We should not politicise investment matters. No industrial state in the country goes around lodging police reports against investors. 'Even in states like Kedah or Selangor, political battles stay in the legislature. Dragging a legitimate investor's name into a police investigation is not only unfair, but dangerous. It creates uncertainty,' Phoong said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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