Kabinet Sabah lulus operasi 24 jam pelabuhan Sepanggar

Kabinet Sabah has approved a 24-hour operational cycle for Sepanggar Port, Tasik Sepanggar Container Port (SBCP), to tackle logistical bottlenecks. However, its implementation relies on the comprehensive readiness of the industrial ecosystem, as well as government departments and agencies involved. Ewon Benedick, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Industrial Development, Trade and Transport, stated that coordinating supplies is crucial, as many local factories and plants are still not ready to operate around the clock.

While Sabah's economic activities are booming, with many companies, like SBH Kibing Solar Plant in Kudat, operating 24/7 with 86% locally employed workers, other factories and ports still need to finalize their operations by October 2027. To address the challenges, Ewon is convening a monthly meeting of the multidisciplinary task force comprising government agencies and maritime stakeholders to monitor the progress of 10 interim action plans, including the provision of temporary loading zone parking at Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP).

The task force aims to ensure uninterrupted port operations while awaiting the completion of the SBCP's physical expansion, which is expected to reach 68.1% completion by October 2027. The port's container trade volume has increased by 6.07% to 532,391 TEU in 2025, with SBCP handling 74.6% or 396,964 TEU, and 416,854 TEU in the first nine months of the year.

Under the Sabah First initiative, the Sabah Cabinet recently approved a new framework, allowing local companies to lease industrial land in KKIP on a yearly basis for 30 years, instead of the previous requirement of full payment within two years. The ministry is now establishing strategic partnerships with the Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC) and the Business Venture Guarantee Corporation (SJPP) to provide commercial guarantees to local companies interested in investing in the industrial park.

Ewon believes the confidence of investors in the state's potential is strong, as Sabah has approved RM25.59 billion worth of manufacturing projects, including 101 projects, and created 9,157 jobs between September 2020 and June 2026. These investments, totaling RM19.60 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) and RM5.99 billion in domestic direct investment (DDI), contributed RM6.4 billion to the State's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025.

In line with the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 (SMJ 2.0) vision, the state government aims to increase the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP from RM7.5 billion to RM8.0 billion, with new investments ranging from RM8 billion to RM10 billion. The growth will be supported by mega projects in the SOGIP, including the RM6.59 billion green steel park and the RM12 billion floating offshore LNG plant PFLNG 3, scheduled to start operations in the fourth quarter of 2027.

To expand the new economic zone, the state government is initiating the acquisition of land for the 13,436-acre (5,437-hectare) Kota Belud Technology and Innovation Park, in addition to developing the 1,200-acre (485.6-hectare) master plan for Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP). In the oil and gas sector, Ewon mentioned that the Sabah Oil and Gas Service and Equipment Development Plan (OGSE) 2026-2030 is being implemented to enable more local vendors to bid for the 499 services contracts already secured so far.

At the grassroots level, the ministry is strengthening the position of 71,219 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through the SME-UP assistance program, promising 5,879 beneficiaries with support. The ministry is also planning to host a Small and Medium Business Day in Beluran, Kota Marudu, Membakut, and Kota Belud.

For long-term connectivity, the ministry is finalizing the Terms of Reference for the Comprehensive State Transportation and Logistics Plan (SSTMP), covering land, sea, and air, with RM500.1 million in development funding under the Malaysian Plan 13 (RMK13).