From left to right - Dato Sri Mossco Woo, Mr Lyu Binchang, Mr Zhang Yueling, Datin Annie Wong, Datuk Harris Haji Annuar Tan, Mr Francis Jepiuh, Mr Sylvester Linus, YB Datuk Ewon Benedick, Mr Adrian Lim, Mr Murthi, Datuk Thomas Logijin, Mr Kevin Lee, Mr Alex Liang.


Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia | 16 June 2026 – Royalton Coating Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian manufacturer of industrial protective coatings with more than three decades of industry experience, has officially appointed Kinara Energy Sdn. Bhd. as its strategic partner for Sabah. The collaboration marks a significant step towards strengthening local industrial capabilities while improving access to certified corrosion protection solutions for Sabah's growing oil and gas, marine and infrastructure sectors.

The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Partnership Agreement and Appointment Letter in the presence of Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET), Datuk Ewon Benedick. The appointment reflects the state's continued commitment to developing local industries under the Sabah First initiative while encouraging stronger participation from Sabah-based companies in major industrial projects.

Under the agreement, Kinara Energy will serve as Royalton's official representative throughout Sabah and the wider Borneo region. The company will oversee market development, regulatory engagement, government liaison, logistics coordination and compliance with the Sabah Local Content Council's requirements. The collaboration also fulfils mandatory local content requirements for major onshore and offshore industrial projects across the state.

Datuk Ewon Benedick described the partnership as an example of how industry collaboration can contribute to Sabah's long-term economic development. Beyond supplying industrial coating products, the initiative aims to strengthen local manufacturing capabilities, create employment opportunities and develop skilled Sabahan professionals through internationally recognised technical training programmes.

Royalton Managing Director Adrian Lim said Sabah remains one of Malaysia's key growth markets for the oil and gas industry, making the partnership with Kinara Energy an important milestone in expanding the company's presence in East Malaysia. He noted that the collaboration will enable Royalton to provide certified protective coating technologies supported by local technical expertise and services.

Kinara Energy Managing Director Sylvester Linus added that the partnership combines Royalton's 34 years of protective coating formulation expertise with Kinara Energy's strong understanding of Sabah's energy sector. Together, both companies aim to develop a corrosion protection ecosystem managed by Sabahans and designed specifically to safeguard the state's critical industrial assets.

Sabah's offshore platforms, marine facilities, pipelines, industrial plants and infrastructure continue to operate under challenging environmental conditions, including constant exposure to seawater, high humidity and corrosive chemicals. These conditions require specialised protective coating systems capable of extending asset lifespan while reducing maintenance costs and operational downtime.

Currently, much of Sabah's industrial protective coating supply depends on manufacturers located in Peninsular Malaysia or overseas. Through this partnership, Royalton and Kinara Energy intend to establish a locally managed supply chain and technical services platform that improves product availability while strengthening Sabah's industrial resilience.

The collaboration will also introduce Royalton's advanced protective coating technologies, including underwater and wet-surface tolerant epoxy systems designed for maintenance work in offshore installations, jetty structures, marine vessels, pipelines and heavy industrial facilities. These solutions are specifically developed for challenging operating environments where conventional coatings may be unsuitable.

Sabah Oil & Gas Services Council (SOGSC) President Datuk Harris welcomed the collaboration, describing it as an important contribution towards strengthening local content participation within Sabah's oil and gas industry. He said partnerships of this nature encourage technology transfer, support workforce development, generate high-value employment and contribute to sustainable economic growth across the state.

Beyond supplying products, Royalton and Kinara Energy are also investing in workforce development through a structured capacity-building programme. Under the initiative, Sabahan coating technicians will receive specialised training to achieve internationally recognised inspection and application certifications, helping build a pool of highly skilled local professionals capable of supporting future industrial projects.

The training programme aligns with the Sabah Local Content Council's workforce development objectives while reinforcing the state's ambition to build stronger local expertise in industrial maintenance and corrosion protection. As commercial demand continues to grow, both companies also plan to explore opportunities for establishing local manufacturing and expanded technical service capabilities within Sabah.

The partnership demonstrates how collaboration between Malaysian manufacturers and local Sabah companies can contribute towards industrial self-reliance while supporting critical sectors such as oil and gas, marine engineering and infrastructure development. By combining advanced technology with local expertise, Royalton and Kinara Energy aim to create a more sustainable and resilient corrosion protection industry for Sabah in the years ahead.