A SABAH opposition lawmaker has alleged that preferential treatment given to foreign investors by the state is now adversely affecting local businesses.

Assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong (Warisan-Tanjung Aru) today called on the state government to clarify whether the Chinese firm SK Kibing and South Korean firm, SK Nexilis, have been given a cheaper electricity rate and control over half of the port wharf in Sepanggar Bay Container Port.

“Attracting foreign direct investments like SK Kibing was touted to help the economy, but it seems the opposite is happening. It was supposed to be a good investment for Sabah, but due to poor management, bad decisions, and complete inefficiency by GRS-Pakatan Harapan state government, Sabahans and regular business operators are suffering!” he said during the state legislative assembly sitting in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday.

Wong was debating the supplementary budget bill. He wants the state to confirm whether the company was given a cheaper electricity tariff than local businesses and exclusive control of one of the wharves for daily shipments.

“Local businesses now face long delays in cargo clearance and higher charges. What used to take three weeks now takes nearly two months, and recently, there were unreasonable proposals for higher port charges!” said Wong, adding that he learned this information from the Federation of Malaysia Manufacturers Sabah chapter.

According to him, the congested supply chain is driving up prices of goods in Sabah, which are already 30% higher than those in the peninsula.

Kibing and SK Nexilis have invested billions of Ringgit in Sabah to set up a solar panel manufacturing facility.

Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun when winding up the debates noted that it will be a written reply by the related ministry.