KOTA KINABALU, SABAH – Revamping Lok Kawi into a resort city is part of Sabah’s tourism revival strategies under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMU) initiative.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the collaboration between Sabah Foundation and Tegas Bangsa Sdn Bhd will be built upon 411 acres of Sabah Foundation owned land.
He detailed the RM 7 billion mega project includes world class hotels, shopping malls, theme parks, commercial blocks, and more, to cater to both domestic and international tastes.
“Sabah Foundation will continue this collaboration in a few component projects bound to be enjoyed by all of Sabahans…
“This will ultimately transform Lok Kawi into a conducive environment for Sabah’s tourism sector and is the answer to the lack of accommodation driven by the influx of tourists,” he said.
He said the Sabah government is highly optimistic that the tourism industry will be back and booming as soon as the world neutralizes COVID-19.
“The project will open up 5,000 new job opportunities for locals once it begins operations,” he said at the Lok Kawi Resort City launching ceremony.
Meanwhile Hajiji signed two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving foreign and domestic investment initiatives.
“An RM 2.3 billion investment between Korean copper giant manufacturer SK Nexilis Company Limited and Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park will see 500 job positions open in its early phases.”
He went on to detail the second MoU to involve a direct domestic investment initiative between Linaco Group of Companies and the State Government to satiate the food industry.
This investment will see the large scale growth and processing of High-Yield Hybrid Coconut Palms to optimize the output of coconut based products.
“As a company renowned for supplying coconut based products to over 40 countries, Linaco will purchase all harvest through integrated farming…
“High standards are sure to be met with the formation of a center of excellence that will oversee the project’s proclivity,” he said.
Hajiji said an estimated RM 200 million investment is to be injected into the State’s economy during the project’s earlier stages.
Honoring the ceremony was the country’s Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and the Sabah Cabinet line up.
