Kota kinabalu: The local production of Tocopherol under the brand name Sawit Kinabalu Tocotrienols (SKT3) is proof that Sabah is innovating by utilising the wealth of oil palm resources towards high-technology products, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hajiji Noor stated that the brand will be marketed soon, emphasizing that Malaysia has long imported millions of kilograms of Vitamin E every year. With tocotrienol now produced locally, Sabah is not only reducing its reliance on imports but also opening up new opportunities in the nutraceutical market while improving the health of Malaysians.

He further added that this effort will create significant economic opportunities for the oil palm producing nation by boosting the production and development of value-added products. The opening of the Kunak Lipids Sdn Bhd Phytonutrient Extraction Plant will strategically position Sabah to meet the needs of the international oleochemical market.

Hajiji highlighted that this plant is a testament to the Sawit Kinabalu Group's commitment to expanding and diversifying their operations beyond the production of raw commodities. This move aligns with the State Government's aspiration to strengthen the oil palm industry's value chain and ensure Sabah continues to be a leader in the high-value downstream sector.

The plant is expected to be a key catalyst for the state's revenue, providing skilled job opportunities for the people, and consequently strengthening Sabah's position as a regional oil palm downstream hub.