Faster licence approval for investors – CM

Expediting licence issuance to investors and property development plan approval are part of the State Government’s efforts to boost business and job opportunities in the Sabah tourism sector, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

“I have given the directive to all the agencies involved in giving approval, whether for development plan (DP) and various ma ers, that we want this expedited so investors and entrepreneurs will not be burdened with delays to develop whatever sector they are involved in,” he stressed, adding it would no longer take years for the approval to be issued.

The Chief Minister made the remarks a er officiating at the Grand Liberty Hotel groundbreaking ceremony next to Sutera Avenue here on Thursday.

The 200,000 square feet and 13-storey hotel with four-star standard 301 rooms will be equipped with various amenities such as a restaurant, gym, roo op pool, and meeting room that can provide up to 300 jobs in Sabah.

“We are confident the tourism sector ins Sabah is healthy, encouraging. So, enough rooms are needed.

“We are confident this (Grand Liberty Hotel) will meet our needs, and they (Grand Liberty Sdn Bhd) will be the one who will benefit the most. The government is just chasing tourists. We spend to a ract more tourists to our country, to Sabah but in the end, staying in the rooms (are tourists),” said Shafie.

“We want this good cooperation between the private sector, investors and stakeholders to enable them to invest as much money as they have to generate jobs for our children.

“The purpose of this collaboration is not only to ensure that there are investments, but we know construction involves things like buying cement, paint, furniture, and involves the transportation sector.

“The spillover is immense. Job opportunities are not just in the hotel but also employment opportunities for the existing construction sector. This will surely give the space for an economic situation that will be healthier at the state level,” he added.

During the ceremony, Grand Liberty Sdn Bhd director Dato’ Tan Kar Leong expressed confidence in Sabah’s political situation and economic stability.

“The idea to establish this FourStar hotel came from the support of the New Government of Sabah that has given us an opportunity to further grow the tourism industry,” he said.

“This support has driven our company to invest RM120 million to build this Grand Liberty Hotel in the centre of the heart of Kota Kinabalu city,” added Tan.