Aluminium and green energy: Chinese investors eye manufacturing project in Bintulu, Malaysia
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Chinese investors are exploring plans to develop an aluminium production plant alongside green energy facilities in Samalaju, Bintulu, Sarawak, in a proposed investment aimed at supporting manufacturing activities targeting international markets
Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal involves not only establishing an aluminium manufacturing facility but also developing green energy sources to supply electricity for its operations.
Speaking to reporters after attending the Malaysia-China Cooperation Meeting on Investment, Trade and Economic Empowerment in Kuala Lumpur on November 2, 2026, Ahmad Zahid said efforts to attract the investment had been underway for some time, given Samalaju's potential to accommodate large-scale industrial activities.
He said he had discussed the proposal with Sarawak Premier and several state ministers to explore the possibility of bringing the investment to the industrial area.
“In my opinion, this can help Sarawak. In fact, I have discussed this matter with the premier and several ministers from Sarawak for this investment to be made in Samalaju which has quite a large industrial potential” he said.
“They intend to invest not only in a manufacturing plant but also in green energy to supply electricity to the factory,” he added.
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Aluminium manufacturing linked to green energy plans
The proposed development brings aluminium production and energy infrastructure together, with the planned green energy facilities intended to provide electricity for the manufacturing plant.
The investment proposal also reflects the importance of accessing international markets, as Ahmad Zahid noted that Malaysia's domestic market is relatively limited. The proposed manufacturing activities would therefore be oriented towards overseas demand.
Although the deputy prime minister did not disclose the project's proposed production capacity, investment value, construction schedule or the specific energy technologies under consideration, the inclusion of green energy forms a central part of the investment plan.
Chinese business group signals USD 15 billion investment interest
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid met 58 Chinese businesspeople in Malaysia to explore investment opportunities across several high-potential sectors.
He said the investor group had provided initial indications of potential investments totalling USD 15 billion in Malaysia, with a focus on high-tech and value-added activities.
The proposed aluminium and green energy development in Samalaju forms part of the broader investment discussions. However, the USD 15 billion figure relates to the wider group of potential investments and was not identified as the value of the aluminium project alone.
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