By Mohd Khairy Abdullah
SIPITANG (Sabah, Malaysia), 13 Dec 2025 – “SOGIP will become the key driver of Sabah’s economic growth and the Sabah First agenda,” stressed Sabah’s Deputy Chief Minister III, Datuk Ewon Benedick. He is confident that the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP) can stimulate the state’s economy through strategic investments, job creation, and higher income for Sabahans.
Datuk Ewon, who also serves as Sabah’s Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship, and Transportation, said that according to a briefing from Sabah Oil & Gas Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (SOGDC), 90 percent of SOGIP’s area has been committed to approved investments, reflecting strong investor confidence in the state’s economic potential.
“This is clear evidence that SOGIP is the focal point for high-impact investment. I am confident this industrial park will not only generate revenue for the State Government but also create substantial employment opportunities for Sabahans, especially local graduates and Sipitang residents,” he said after a working visit to SOGDC’s office at SOGIP today.
The visit aimed to review the development of oil and gas industrial projects managed by SOGDC, in line with the ministry’s vision to strengthen Sabah’s position as a strategic industrial hub in the region. He is confident that several approved investments will commence next year, further cementing SOGIP’s role as an engine of the state’s economic growth.
“High-impact investments and enterprises in SOGIP will continue to contribute to the development of income-generating opportunities for the people. I hope the Sabah First team at SOGDC will be further strengthened to deliver quality services to all stakeholders while realizing projected dividend returns for the Sabah State Government,” he stressed.
During the visit, Ewon officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the Scheduled Waste Management Facility by E-Concern Borneo, involving an investment of RM1.1 billion, implemented in phases. He also inspected the Esteel investment valued at RM31 billion, one of Sabah’s largest industrial investments, including Esteel’s private jetty project, a critical component of the company’s industrial chain.
The tour also covered the PFLNG 3 project, the construction of Sipitang Utilities, and operations at PETRONAS Chemicals Fertiliser (SAMUR). Ewon also visited the MOLF project by SOGIP Port Sdn. Bhd. and Petroventure Energy Sdn. Bhd., with briefings from their respective CEOs.
“My confidence that SOGDC will continue to drive the development of income-generating opportunities for Sabahans through high-impact investments at SOGIP remains firm. The Sabah First team at SOGDC must be strengthened to ensure top-quality services to stakeholders and sustainable returns for the State Government,” he said, concluding the visit.
