Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysia–China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah has called on the state government to prioritise capable local enterprises when awarding development projects through open tenders, provided they meet the necessary conditions and capabilities.
MCCC Sabah Deputy President Jacky Chin said this approach would improve project execution efficiency, strengthen accountability, and ensure that state land and resources benefit Sabah’s people, while supporting sustainable long-term economic growth.
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Chin said the Chamber, under the leadership of President Datuk Dexter Lau, has consistently promoted a pragmatic, open, and constructive approach.
He emphasised that the call for prioritisation does not exclude external companies, but encourages complementary collaboration to drive the state’s development.
“Sabah is home to many capable and well-established local enterprises with deep roots in the state.
“These companies are familiar with local laws, land matters, and the business environment, and possess strong professional and execution capabilities.
“They are fully capable of undertaking small- and medium-scale projects, as well as large developments in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, energy, and infrastructure,” he said.
Chin welcomed recent discussions on prioritising local companies, noting that such calls align with Sabah’s long-term economic interests and public concern over effective resource utilisation and quality of development.
He emphasised that prioritisation does not mean lowering standards. Instead, the government should establish clear performance indicators and accountability mechanisms to ensure projects are completed on schedule, meet required standards, and deliver tangible benefits to the public.
“Local enterprises often rely on local supply chains and manpower, which generates a stronger economic multiplier effect by keeping capital, employment, and business activity within the state, thereby amplifying overall economic benefits,” he added.
Chin also highlighted that allowing local companies to participate in projects of varying scales helps build their technical capabilities, management expertise, and capital strength, preparing them for larger and more complex projects in the future.
He further noted that local enterprises, as long-term stakeholders, place greater emphasis on corporate reputation, community relations, and environmental responsibility, fostering sustainable development that benefits local communities over time.
“Where a single local enterprise may be limited in capital, technology, or execution capacity, the government can encourage joint bidding or joint ventures within the open tender framework, ensuring local companies retain a leading role while external partners provide complementary strengths to enhance project feasibility and success,” Chin said.
He urged the government to strengthen evaluation and monitoring mechanisms for development projects, including regular progress reviews, to prevent state land or resources from lying idle and to ensure approved projects deliver real economic benefits to Sabah.
Chin also emphasised that MCCC Sabah will continue to act as a bridge between the business community and the government, facilitating business matching, joint bidding, and capability integration to create a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable economic development environment for the state.
