
Sabah records RM10.9 billion in investments in Q1 2025, ranks third nationally
Phoong speaking at the press conference.
KOTA KINABALU (June 13): Sabah recorded a total of RM10.9 billion in approved investments in the first quarter of this year, surpassing the state's total investment figure for the entire year of 2024.
According to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the investment performance from January to March places Sabah third nationally, behind Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was the main contributor, accounting for RM6.6 billion or 61 percent of the total, while Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) amounted to RM4.29 billion or 39 percent.
The manufacturing sector was the top performer, recording RM7.3 billion in investments — the highest among all states for this quarter. Of this, RM6.59 billion or 91.3 percent came from foreign investors, with the remaining RM711 million or 9.7 percent from domestic sources.
The services sector followed with RM2.83 billion, while the primary sector attracted RM757.1 million.
Phoong said the figures reflected continued investor confidence in Sabah's economic growth potential and its conducive business ecosystem.
'Despite global economic uncertainties and geopolitical pressures, Sabah remains a competitive investment destination trusted by both foreign and domestic investors,' he said at a press conference at Wisma Kewangan today.
He added that the success was due to investor-friendly policies and the state government's strong commitment to stimulating industrial development.
'The state government is committed to strengthening the investment ecosystem and welcoming more investors to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic development for Sabah,' he said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Sabah ranks third nationally as RM10.9b in Q1 investments exceed full-year 2024 figure
KOTA KINABALU, June 14 — Sabah recorded a total of RM10.9 billion in approved investments in the first quarter of this year, surpassing the state's total investment figure for the entire year of 2024. According to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the investment performance from January to March places Sabah third nationally, behind Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was the main contributor, accounting for RM6.6 billion or 61 percent of the total, while Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) amounted to RM4.29 billion or 39 percent. The manufacturing sector was the top performer, recording RM7.3 billion in investments — the highest among all states for this quarter. Of this, RM6.59 billion or 91.3 percent came from foreign investors, with the remaining RM711 million or 9.7 percent from domestic sources. The services sector followed with RM2.83 billion, while the primary sector attracted RM757.1 million. Phoong said the figures reflected continued investor confidence in Sabah's economic growth potential and its conducive business ecosystem. 'Despite global economic uncertainties and geopolitical pressures, Sabah remains a competitive investment destination trusted by both foreign and domestic investors,' he said at a press conference at Wisma Kewangan today. He added that the success was due to investor-friendly policies and the state government's strong commitment to stimulating industrial development. 'The state government is committed to strengthening the investment ecosystem and welcoming more investors to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic development for Sabah,' he said. — The Borneo Post


Daily Express
3 hours ago
- Daily Express
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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Borneo Post
18 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Sabah records RM10.9 billion in investments in Q1 2025, ranks third nationally
Phoong speaking at the press conference. KOTA KINABALU (June 13): Sabah recorded a total of RM10.9 billion in approved investments in the first quarter of this year, surpassing the state's total investment figure for the entire year of 2024. According to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the investment performance from January to March places Sabah third nationally, behind Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was the main contributor, accounting for RM6.6 billion or 61 percent of the total, while Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) amounted to RM4.29 billion or 39 percent. The manufacturing sector was the top performer, recording RM7.3 billion in investments — the highest among all states for this quarter. Of this, RM6.59 billion or 91.3 percent came from foreign investors, with the remaining RM711 million or 9.7 percent from domestic sources. The services sector followed with RM2.83 billion, while the primary sector attracted RM757.1 million. Phoong said the figures reflected continued investor confidence in Sabah's economic growth potential and its conducive business ecosystem. 'Despite global economic uncertainties and geopolitical pressures, Sabah remains a competitive investment destination trusted by both foreign and domestic investors,' he said at a press conference at Wisma Kewangan today. He added that the success was due to investor-friendly policies and the state government's strong commitment to stimulating industrial development. 'The state government is committed to strengthening the investment ecosystem and welcoming more investors to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic development for Sabah,' he said.