KOTA KINABALU: A Taiwanese group has expressed interest in building a luxurious five-star ecotourism resort on Mengalum Island costing at least RM1bil.

       Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the island, located 75 minutes away from here by boat, was mostly visited by Chinese tourists.

       In a statement, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor welcomed Sinyi Realty Group’s proposal to build the high-end resort.

       “We are delighted that Taiwan’s largest real estate company has chosen Sabah for its investment,” he said.

       On Tuesday, he received a courtesy call by a delegation led by Sinyi Group chairman Chou Chun Chi.

       “Once completed, it is expected to provide about 2,400 jobs to the locals. We anticipate that this resort can bring in 97,000 tourists to Sabah annually,” said Chou.

       Sinyi Group acquired more than half of the island for RM266mil in 2019.

       It said it planned to restore the barren part of the island through reforestation, and rehabilitate the surrounding coral reefs damaged by fish bombings.