Hoping to prevent future SFIs

SIPITANG: The Warisan-led State Government will set up a special team to prevent situations such as the “Sabah Forest Industry (SFI) incident” from repeating and having a negative impact.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pic) said thorough discussions have been carried out at the Cabinet level to ensure that the State Government would have more “involvement” in future aimed at helping the workers in Sabah.

“That is why discussions were held thoroughly at Cabinet level on how to ensure the State Government’s role in safeguarding the future of Sipitang folks (and that) they have work.

“We do not want incidents to happen where investors take over (a certain company) but end up like before,” he said at the 2019 Sipitang Food Festival. SFI is currently under receivership.

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Also present were Deputy Chief Minister cum Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, Eudcation and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr. Yusof Yacob, Law and Native Affairs Minister Datuk Aidi Moktar as well as Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister with State Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah, among others.

In the current situation, Shafie said the State Government is only a two per cent shareholder in SFI in which they do not have jurisdiction to carry out decisions for the organisation.

He said fighting for a higher percentage is vital which would enable the State Government to not only further aid the company through the team but also ensure the workers’ employment is guaranteed.

Although further action and decisions are currently “delayed” as it is waiting for the issue to be resolved in court, he said the State Government would not sit quiet and have taken measures like paying the employees that have been without salary.

“The important thing is we want to safeguard our community so that they are not affected. The State Government have paid and will continue to pay their monthly salary.

“I have informed the State Secretary if there are those who have yet to receive salary to inform me. As I have stated, we must pay their salary although this company no longer belongs to the State Government.”

Following the ongoing complexity of the situation, Shafie hoped that those directly and indirectly affected by the current events stay calm and patient as well as pray that all goes well.

It is understood that Pelangi Prestasi Sdn Bhd, the firm interested in buying over SFI, is suing over the need to comply with new preconditions pertaining to its proposed takeover of Ballapur Industries Ltd’s stake.

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Meanwhile, as for the festival, he said plans are in the pipeline to include the event in the State’s tourism calendar and that further discussions will be carried out with the State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry.

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