Latest news with #SIFEX2025
Daily Express
28-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Can't bet only on agriculture, tourism
Published on: Monday, April 28, 2025 Published on: Mon, Apr 28, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Phoong visits one of the booths and receives a souvenir from the owner at SIFEX 2025. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah must urgently transition from a consumption-driven economy to a producing and manufacturing powerhouse, said State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. He said Sabah can no longer rely heavily on agriculture and tourism alone to grow and secure its future in an increasingly uncertain global landscape. 'We must produce what we consume and export what we produce. We can no longer depend entirely on importing raw materials or finished products. Sabah must urgently become a manufacturing and producing state,' Phoong said. He told reporters during the Sabah International Food Expo 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Saturday. The call comes amid rising global uncertainties, including tariff wars, export controls, and supply chain disruptions, which Phoong warned could threaten Sabah's economic stability if not addressed. Despite the challenges, Sabah's manufacturing sector has already shown positive signs. Phoong said Sabah recorded the highest manufacturing GDP growth in Malaysia in 2023 at 4.4 per cent, driven by major investments such as Kibing's RM3 billion solar glass manufacturing plant and SK Nexilis's RM5 billion copper foil project. However, Phoong said this success must not breed complacency. He outlined the state's strategic push to upscale Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), encourage exports, and improve food security through new initiatives. 'We are not just giving machinery grants anymore. We are tying assistance to performance and outcomes. Recipients must show they can scale their businesses and reach international markets,' he said, citing the SME Up programme, which provides branding support, packaging improvement, and capacity-building training. Phoong also said Sabah's efforts to strengthen its food industry as an export sector, noting that food products, beyond traditional commodities like palm oil, are beginning to play a bigger role in Sabah's export portfolio. 'Trade wars teach us that food security is national security. Sabah has the natural resources to feed not just itself but the region – but only if we industrialise and build a full value chain,' he said. Phoong said the ministry is working closely with agencies like the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Exim Bank, and private associations such as the SME Association to prepare local entrepreneurs for regional and global markets. He said future-proofing industries would also involve equipping businesses with AI tools and digital marketing capabilities. 'It is no longer about competing locally. Sabah's entrepreneurs must be digital, must export, and must be able to brand and market themselves internationally,' he said. Phoong acknowledged that global competition and supply chain volatility are here to stay, particularly with developments like U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, which indirectly impact Southeast Asian markets. 'We have no choice but to be proactive. We must build our industries to withstand these shocks. Sabah cannot afford to wait anymore,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
PBRS ready for state election, seat talks ongoing
Arthur (centre) presents a certificate of appreciation to an exhibitor, while organiser Datuk Dayang Khatijah Datu Bachtiyal, managing director of ESM Exhibitor Relations Malaysia, looks on. KOTA KINABALU (April 27): Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) is gearing up for the upcoming state election while remaining committed to discussions with its Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition partners, said its president, Datuk Arthur J Kurup. Arthur said the party is currently at the consultation stage regarding seat allocations, leaving the final decision to the central leadership. 'We are prepared, but we are still in the consultation stage. We leave it to the central leadership because discussions will be held at that level on the coalition and seat-sharing formula,' he said after officiating the closing ceremony of SIFEX 2025 here on Sunday. He said PBRS had indicated its areas of interest and would work through the process accordingly, emphasising the need for mutual cooperation among coalition partners. 'In this coalition government, there must be give and take. As a local party in Sabah, our priority is to see a stable government at both the state and national levels,' Arthur stressed. He also commented on BN's recent victory in the Ayer Kuning by-election, calling it a sign of growing public confidence in the coalition. 'As the president of a BN component party, we are grateful for the victory. It reflects the people's trust in BN to continue playing an important role in the government,' he said. Arthur noted that BN's candidate won the by-election with a significantly larger majority compared to the general election two years ago, indicating stronger public support. On the number of seats PBRS aims to contest in the 17th state election, Arthur said it would depend on ongoing negotiations. 'It ranges quite a bit, depending on how discussions turn out,' he explained, adding that while there have been many discussions among BN component leaders, no formal meeting has been held yet to finalise seat allocations. Asked about a timeline for concluding negotiations, Arthur said it was still uncertain, especially with talks of elections possibly being held in July or August this year. 'I don't think I can give a definite answer on when discussions will be finalised,' he said. Arthur reiterated PBRS's commitment to ensuring a stable and effective government, and its readiness to compromise for the benefit of Sabah and the nation.
New Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
PBRS awaiting BN leadership's decision on Sabah election seat allocations
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) is waiting for the Barisan Nasional (BN) central leadership to finalise seat allocations for the upcoming Sabah election. Its president, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, said, however, that the party is prepared to face the polls and has already expressed interest in the constituencies it wishes to contest. PBRS is the sole Sabah-based party in BN. The other three component parties are Umno, MCA and MIC. "PBRS has already stated its areas of interest, and we will see how it goes, as in the unity government there should be give and take. "Being a local party, PBRS prioritises stable governments at both the state and federal levels. "We are leaving it to the top leadership, as negotiations are still ongoing at the central level to determine the coalition and seat-sharing formula we are using," he said, without disclosing the seats PBRS is eyeing. Arthur, who is also Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister, was speaking to reporters after closing the Sabah International Food Expo (SIFEX2025) at the Sabah International Convention Centre here. In the 2020 state election, PBRS failed to win Sook, Tulid, Matunggong, Tandek, and Kadamaian, where they fielded candidates. Arthur, who is also the Pensiangan member of parliament, said there had been unofficial talks among leaders, but none could be regarded as final. Commenting on Barisan Nasional's victory in the Ayer Kuning by-election yesterday, where its candidate Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir secured a large majority to retain the seat for the coalition, Arthur said the win reflected the people's confidence in, and hope for, BN within the unity government. "For me, it shows the people's acceptance, giving confidence and hope to Barisan Nasional within the unity government to continue playing an important role. "In my view, the people want to see a stable government and a government that works hard to deliver on the hopes and aspirations of the people."
