KOTA KINABALU, 2 July 2026 – PETRONAS paid a courtesy visit to Sawit Kinabalu Group’s Head Office to initiate discussions on potential collaboration involving the Sawit Kinabalu Sandakan Industrial Park (SK SIP).

The PETRONAS delegation was led by Mr. Handan Ramli, Senior Strategic Advisor, Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), and expressed its interest in utilising SK SIP as the location for one of its strategic developments. The meeting was led by Datuk Victor Ationg, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sawit Kinabalu, together with Mr. Nazlan Mohamad, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, Mdm. Judith Ignatius Otau, General Manager of SK SIP, and Mdm. Hajah Tati Ismail, General Manager of Corporate Planning Unit.

The proposed development forms part of PETRONAS’ Mutiara Cluster, a strategic offshore natural gas project located approximately 90 km offshore from SK SIP on the East Coast of Sabah. The project is aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s domestic natural gas supply and enhancing the nation’s energy security. With first gas expected in the first quarter of 2029, the Mutiara Cluster is expected to support gas-fired power generation, strengthen the reliability of the Sabah Grid, and drive future industrial and economic growth in Sabah.

During the meeting, both parties exchanged views on SK SIP’s capabilities, strategic location, and supporting infrastructure, as well as PETRONAS’ project requirements. Discussions also covered the scope demarcation between offshore upstream operations and the proposed onshore facilities to better understand the operational interface and potential development requirements.

The courtesy visit reflects growing industry recognition of SK SIP as a strategic industrial hub capable of supporting large-scale energy and industrial investments. PETRONAS’ interest in developing onshore facilities within SK SIP to support the Mutiara Cluster presents a promising opportunity for Sawit Kinabalu Group to enhance the SK SIP’s value proposition, attract high-impact investments and strengthen its role as a facilitator of industrial and energy-related developments in Sabah.