KOTA KINABALU: Pulau Sulug, the least developed and visited island within the state's protected Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (TARP), will undergo a facelift if plans by Japanese investors to build a solar-powered resort there gets underway.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the investors had the financial means to implement the project, which would also help to boost the state's tourism industry.
"They are looking into a 10-hectare piece of land for the solar-powered resort project. We (state government) just need to identify a suitable location," he told reporters at the Sabah Administrative Centre here today.
Also present was a group of Japanese investors led by Wanoyu Co. Ltd's chief executive officer Nikko Doh. Earlier, the group paid a courtesy call to Shafie and presented their proposal.
Shafie said the state government would look into how best to attract investment to Pulau Sulug as it is protected under Sabah Parks.
"This is just a proposal, and nothing is finalised yet. Since the island is protected, we need to look into how investment can be adjusted to be a win-win situation for all parties," he said.
There are five islands within TARP namely Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik, Sulug and Gaya.
Meanwhile, Doh said Japan was committed to bring its high-end technology to Sabah.
"We hope to get the support of the Chief Minister and state government. We understand no one is developing Pulau Sulug yet, and we are keen to turn it into a high-end eco island using Japanese technology.
"There will be floating chalets with Japanese interior design. With this investment, we can also bring more Japanese tourists into Sabah," he said, adding that the Japanese investors were also interested to invest in organic farming in the state capital.