KK Resort City project to boost tourism – CM
KOTA KINABALU: Sunduvon Corporation Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the KTS Group, yesterday launched the KK Resort City project in a ceremony officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, who described it as a major project in Sabah that would serve as a tourism product for the state.
Speaking at the event at Lok Kawi, Shafie said Sabah and its people had always been pushing to build up its resources and bring prosperity to the state.
“I am happy to announce that our journey in developing our tourism industry will soon reach another milestone as Sunduvon Corporation Sdn Bhd will be developing a world class Kota Kinabalu Resort City on an island at Lok Kawi.
“The 325-acre island, which was developed through reclamation efforts by the KTS Group is approximately 15 kilometres south of KK City and will undoubtedly be a welcome addition to our vibrant tourism attractions and facilities,” Shafie noted in his speech at the event.
He said this will be the beginning of a strategic partnership between Sabah and the KTS group.
“I look forward to the benefits and opportunities for the further growth that it will bring, to not only our wonderful Sabah, but to the island of Borneo as a whole,” said Shafie, adding that the project came at the right time and place.
He opined that that the tourists would be coming back to Sabah if they like the place; and each time they return, if there are more and newer products and facilities for them, the better it would be for them.
Apart from serving as a tourism product, Shafie believed that the KK Resort City project would also serve a tool that will spur Sabah’s economy.
He pointed out that KTS Group is no stranger to Sabah; its subsidiary, KTS Plantation, has managed the Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve, Forest Management Unit No. 19B for over 25 years now, besides other businesses.
“I have been informed that KTS Plantation unit is one of the best performers under the group in Sabah and that KTS Plantation is the only FMU in Sabah that is certified with both Forest Certification under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme MC&I, and also Environmental Management System ISO 14000 for a well-managed sustainable forest,” he said.
Among those present at the ground-breaking ceremony were Deputy Chief Minister cum Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, Sunduvon Corporation Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Henry Lau and KTS Holdings Sdn Bhd chairman Lau Swee Nguong.
Speaking to reporters later, the Chief Minister said the emergence of the KK Resort City will pave the way for the creation of more jobs and business opportunities for the people of Kota Kinabalu, Papar and its surrounding areas.
In view of this, he lauded KTS Group and its subsidiary, Sunduvon Corporation Sdn Bhd, for coming up with the idea to build the resort, which would certainly be meaningful to the people of Sabah, not just in terms of real estate development but for the tourism sector as well.
“I am confident that the spillover of the project would bring about big impacts to our state’s economy. We want more investors to come to Sabah.
“We must not rely only on the State and Federal Governments; the private sector must also play their part,” he said.
He also said that the establishment of the KK City Resort would help the state cope with the influx of tourists into the state, as the total number of tourists has reached more than three million.
“Sabah has a lot of tourism products, it’s just that we don’t have that enough hotels. I am certain that the construction of the KK City Resort would address the needs of our community,” he said.
According to Shafie, the construction of the project would take between three to four years and the estimated cost would be around RM5 billion; as a first step, the KTS Group would spend RM300 million to kick start the project.
Shafie also expressed his hope that the development plan for the project will be expedited to one month.
Meanwhile, Liew said the KK Resort City will be a big boost to Sabah’s tourism sector.
“As the state’s tourism sector is blooming, we cannot wait anymore and we are very glad Sunduvon Corporation Sdn Bhd came into the picture with this project.
“They are also moving very fast with the groundbreaking being done today,” she said.
Liew, when asked to comment about the project and its potential in boosting Sabah’s tourism industry, said that KK Resort City, large-scale and fully integrated tourism, business and residential living township will certainly attract tourists.
“The hotel and water recreational facilities will be very attractive to the tourists because they can stay at the hotel and enjoy the sea and activities which will be just a stone’s throw away.
“We need more of this kind of investors to come into Sabah and we will give our full assistance to ensure that the plan materializes and attracts tourists to the state,” said Liew.