Kimanis energy project to boost Sabah's grid in Oct
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 12): A 100-megawatt interim gas power plant in Kimanis is expected to be completed this October.
Dynac JV Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Wira Ir. Md Sidek Ahmad stated that the nearly RM1 billion project will strengthen Sabah's electricity supply and benefit the entire state.
'The development of the Kimanis energy project is one of the initiatives to help improve or rehabilitate the electricity situation, particularly in Sabah.
'The project implementation was awarded to Dynac JV Sdn Bhd in September last year, with commissioning and project execution anticipated to begin this October.
'We hope to play a significant role in developing energy projects to meet Sabah's growing demands,' he told the media after a courtesy call on the Head of State, Tun Musa Aman, at Istana Seri Kinabalu on Tuesday.
He added that the visit aimed to brief Tun Musa on the project's progress, which will add 100 megawatts to the state's electricity grid, thereby enhancing long-term capacity and supply stability.
Accompanied by his Chief Operating Officer, Sharizal Md Sidek, he also highlighted that the project creates opportunities and develops local workforce capacity.
'We are also focused on hiring local workers, particularly university-graduate engineers in Sabah,' he added.
Tun Musa also received a courtesy call from Angkatan Hebat Sdn Bhd. Chairman of the vehicle rental company, Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Rahim Ismail, informed the Governor that Angkatan Hebat aims to increase its fleet by 400 units over a three-year period starting this year.
Abdul Rahim stated that the company has recorded continuous profits over the past four years and is now in a strong financial position.
'Although the company previously faced financial challenges, it has now successfully recovered. Last year, the company recorded a post-tax profit of RM9 million, and this year we are targeting a profit of around RM7 million.
'I am confident this positive progress will further strengthen the company's position and benefit the local economy and community.
'Angkatan Hebat currently owns 600 vehicles and aims to increase this to 1,000 units within the next two to three years.
'This effort is expected to be achieved with purchase support from several government departments and approval from the Ministry of Finance,' he said.
He also informed that the company, which manages the vehicle fleet for the Sabah State Government, actively implements corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives by channeling aid to suraus, churches, schools, tahfiz centers, and other community groups through special allocations managed by the administration.
Also present were Deputy Chairman Datuk Dr Stephen Jacob Jimbangan, Chief Executive Officer Faez Ainstein Nordin, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Kwan Yeen Yee.
The Sabah Indian Association (SIA) also called on Tun Musa.
Its president, Didar Singh, said the association remains committed to advancing education and providing facilities for the younger generation in the state, regardless of ethnic background.
He stated that these initiatives include providing internet access at the association's building, developing new facilities, and organizing various activities for youth engagement.
'We want the available space at SIA to be utilized for educational and learning activities so that young people can thrive,' he said.
The visit aimed to strengthen the association's rapport and introduce SIA's new leadership to Tun Musa.
Beyond educational contributions, SIA which has over 1,000 members including professionals, also organizes community programs such as goodwill dinners, blood donation campaigns, and encourages new membership registrations.
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