KUDAT: Oct 19 2026 – The Kibing Silicon Materials factory in Kudat employs 1,849 local Sabahans, or 86 per cent of its total workforce of 2,134.
Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick said the figure exceeds the state government’s minimum target of 80 per cent local employment.
He said the approach is in line with the Sabah First Vision, which focuses on raising people’s incomes through the creation of job opportunities.
“In leading MINDET, I want to develop more Sabahans with income, whether as business owners or employees, thereby addressing poverty and increasing household income,” he said.
He said this at the “Bicara SMJ 2.0: Memaknai Manifesto GRS” session held in conjunction with the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah Convention at Dewan Tun Mustapha yesterday.
He added that the Sabah Cabinet approved a special policy allowing local companies to pay land rent annually in industrial parks, beginning at KKIP.
He explained that the policy replaces the old policy that required full payment of 30 years’ rent to be settled within two years.
To help local companies facing capital problems, MINDET is working with Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC) and Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Berhad (SJPP) to provide bank financing guarantee facilities.
