By WU VUIDE
LAHAD DATU: Deputy Chief Minister III and Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, officiated the Jetama seawater desalination plant to support industrial water supply needs at POIC Lahad Datu.
He said the innovation is the first of its kind to be introduced to help address water supply requirements for factories operating in the area.
“Congratulations to POIC Sabah and Jetama Water on their collaboration in developing this innovation, which can serve as an in-situ solution for water supply in several parts of Sabah,” he said after launching the plant.
During the visit, Ewon was also briefed on the plant’s operations and desalination processes.
Earlier, he was given a briefing on the latest developments and future plans for POIC Lahad Datu, including its vision to position the area as Sabah’s Eastern Gateway, at the POIC Container Terminal.
“I was briefed on current operations and development plans to transform POIC Lahad Datu into Sabah’s Eastern Gateway.
“At present, there are 46 major enterprises operating here, with ample room for new industrial developments, including within the POIC Free Zone,” he said.
Ewon said that for continued growth, POIC Lahad Datu requires additional industrial land, particularly following its Free Zone status, which is supported by the operation of the POIC port.
“I was also briefed on additional water supply through an industrialised water innovation developed by Jetama specifically for enterprises at POIC Lahad Datu to help address water supply challenges within the industrial park,” he said.
In this regard, he stressed the need to review existing policies related to the development of industrial parks throughout Sabah to strengthen the authority of industrial park management bodies.
“The Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Cooperatives (MINDET) Sabah will continue to support POIC Lahad Datu as one of the state’s key industrial parks that must be developed as Sabah’s Eastern Gateway,” he said.
He later visited the Legenda Bumimas plant.
Ewon expressed full support for the development of downstream palm oil industries in Sabah, including at POIC Lahad Datu, covering the biomass sector.
“Several initiatives are being implemented, including ongoing engagement with CPO mills across Sabah and the preparation of a specific enactment to encourage the development of downstream palm oil-based industries in Sabah, including biomass.
“I appreciate the domestic investment made by Legenda Bumimas, which deserves support from the ministry,” he said.
Ewon then visited Genting Biorefinery, which is involved in biodiesel production, noting that the company is among the earliest enterprises to operate at POIC Lahad Datu and employs a fully local workforce.
Also present during the visit were its Assistant Minister Datuk Jonnybone Kurum; MINDET Permanent Secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin; POIC Sabah Chairman Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau; and its deputy Datuk Janathan Kandok.
Ewon (fourth from left), with the POIC Lahad Datu officials visit the Jetama seawater desalination plant.
