KOTA KINABALU: There may be some delays in tying up a few deals at the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) in Lahad Datu, but otherwise, business seem to operate as usual.
Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah in disclosing this said during its board meeting on Monday, they had only raised a few hiccups where they were unable to tie up a few deals as easily as they wanted following the stand-off in the east coast of Sabah last month.
“But to date, those who have committed are already operating, no one has backed out. They are in operations and quite happy with the way the government handles things, especially with the setting up of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), that assures them their safety and security.
“So we are going ahead with all the infrastructure that we have planned (for POIC),” he said, adding that it includes the biggest container rice pot, which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He added that the government had planned the liquefied natural gas (LNG) piping to POIC, as well as power plant, roads and jetty, which would lure more investors, both local and foreigners, to do business there.
“It is not time to talk about company shutting down, but how many will be signing up. For now, we are working hard to ensure that potential investors get the right information on the situation in Lahad Datu,” he said.
Rumours were going around that several companies are shutting down operations following the Lahad Datu stand-off after a group of armed intruders were spotted at Kampung Tanduo in Felda Sahabat, some 100 kilometres from the town area.