Coral Bay developer set to expand business in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: China-based developer and construction firm, NTSJ Construction (M) Sdn Bhd, the main contractor of the Coral Bay project in the state capital, is set to expand its business in Sabah.
NTSJ Construction (M) Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary of Nantong Si Jian Construction Group Co. Ltd headquartered in Jiangsu province. The company is ranked 23rd among China’s top 100 construction firms.
Ma Jianguo, person-in-charge for NTSJ Construction (M) Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, said the company had expanded to Singapore in 1994 where it was involved in major construction projects, before venturing into Malaysia in 2018.
“Coral Bay is the company’s first project in Sabah with a contract sum of RM576 million, and its third construction project in Malaysia.
“The proprietor of Sutera Harbour Resort is a renowned entrepreneur in Singapore.
“We are incredibly honoured to be appointed as the main contractor for the Coral Bay project.”
He said that to the media after handing over RM50,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) donated by NTSJ Construction (M) Sdn Bhd, including 35,000 pieces of face mask and 1,500 bottles of hand sanitizer, to Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew here yesterday.
Ma said the company was keen to establish deeper roots in Sabah since undertaking the Coral Bay project.
“President of China, Xi Jinping, encourages Chinese companies to spread their wings globally, particularly in the Southeast Asia region under the Belt and Road initiative.
“Our company was not familiar with Sabah previously.
“But since we have undertaken the Coral Bay project, we have discovered the beauty of Sabah, the hospitality of the people and great development potential in the State.
“We are eager to expand our business here for the long term.”
NTSJ Construction (M) Sdn Bhd commenced construction on Coral Bay in December 2018 and has completed 30 percent of the project. The contract period for the project is 38 months.
Developed by Singaporelisted property developer GSH Corporation, Coral Bay comprises eight 12-storey residential towers with 460 luxury condominium units and four bungalow villas on 160,000 square metres of land with idyllic view of the South China Sea. The company has demonstrated high level of workmanship and safety precautions in the development.
On another note, Ma said the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) had inflicted adverse impact on a global scale.
“Malaysia is not spared from the virus as well.
“Fortunately, Sabah has the Covid-19 outbreak well under control under the leadership of the federal and state governments.”
He stressed that the company was committed to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Malaysia and Sabah governments in order to resume construction works of Coral Bay.
The company has hired 500 workers for the Coral Bay project, including 30 percent local construction workers.
Ma said the company had ceased construction works since the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18 to curb the spread of
Covid-19.
He said the foreign construction workers employed by the company, including from China and Indonesia, have remained at their hostels throughout the MCO period.
“The foreign workers are provided with three meals daily, essential goods and ample supply of PPE.”
As a China-based company, Ma said NTSJ Construction (M) Sdn Bhd was committed to comply with the SOP set by the federal and state governments.
In fact, he said the company had stationed employees at the entrance of the construction site to take and record body temperatures of the workers, in addition to foot operated hand sanitizer dispenser and disinfection tunnel.
Reminder notices and warning signs are also posted in washrooms, cafeteria, office and construction areas, which are in accordance with social distancing rule.
The company has submitted its application to resume operation since the government’s announcement that the construction sector could resume work under strict SOP.
Ma said the company had arranged for all its construction workers to undergo Covid-19 test in mid-May.
“We have obtained the test results. All our workers tested negative for Covid-19.
“We are ready to get back to work.”
He disclosed that the company was keen to work with local companies in other projects after the Coral Bay development was completed to further contribute to the construction industry in Sabah.
“I believe our ventures in Sabah will further cement the good ties between Malaysia and China.”