Chinese firms consider massive aluminium project in Sarawak's Samalaju Park

During a press briefing on the third day of his working visit to China, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that Chinese investors have shown interest in establishing a major aluminium production complex at the Samalaju Industrial Park in Bintulu, Sarawak. The investment is intended to expand capacity for aluminium products used in construction, automotive and other sectors, while opening access to additional overseas markets.

Zahid linked the initiative to a broader strategy of attracting high-tech manufacturing to rural areas and cited incentives announced in Budget 2027 for projects outside traditional industrial zones. He emphasized that the proposal must still be cleared by the Sarawak government and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, and that a One-Stop Centre will be set up to streamline the process. The influx of capital is expected to generate jobs for young Malaysians and facilitate technology transfer through Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions, including a "factory teaching" approach for hands-on learning.