{
  "id": 7473238,
  "title": "Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei advance cross-border connectivity with new guidebook and BIMP-EAGA MoU review",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/sarawak-sabah-and-brunei-advance-cross-border-connectivity-with-new",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-15T04:41:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1533138/sarawak-sabah-and-brunei-advance-cross-border-connectivity-new"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUCHING: Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin inaugurated the Cross-Border Operational Guidebook, aimed at enhancing efficiency in transportation between Sarawak, Brunei, and Sabah. The guidebook was unveiled at a workshop held on September 14-15 at Pullman Hotel Kuching, coinciding with a review of two BIMP-EAGA Land Transport MoUs. The guidebook consolidates critical cross-border requirements into a practical reference for transport operators, aiming to streamline regulations, reduce uncertainties, and promote digitalization. Lee emphasized the importance of seamless cross-border connectivity for Sarawak's economic competitiveness and integration with neighboring economies. The workshop brought together government agencies, regulators, industry associations, and transport operators to review the two BIMP-EAGA Land Transport MoUs, focusing on commercial bus and coach movement and inter-state goods transit. Dr. Mohamad Norjayadi Tamam, MPC's deputy director-general, highlighted the increasing significance of logistics efficiency as Malaysia strives for sustained productivity growth. The 13th Malaysia Plan targets RM122,745 per employee by 2030, with the logistics sector already showing a 5.0% productivity growth in Q1 2026. The workshop will identify regulatory gaps, operational challenges, and propose amendments and recommendations to improve the review of the two BIMP-EAGA Land Transport MoUs. This initiative aligns with the Reformasi Kerenah Birokrasi and Malaysia Productivity Blueprint 2.0, aiming to address regulatory friction, enhance logistics efficiency, and boost regional competitiveness.",
  "summary": "KUCHING: The Sarawak Transport Ministry (MOTS) and Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), through the Logistics Productivity Nexus (LPN), have launched the Cross-Border Operational Guidebook for Sarawak-Brunei-Sabah Transportation Efficiency, aimed at facilitating smoother and more efficient movement of goods and passengers across Borneo.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sarawak Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin inaugurated Cross-Border Operational Guidebook.",
    "Guidebook aims to streamline regulations and promote digitalization for cross-border transport.",
    "Workshop reviewed two BIMP-EAGA Land Transport MoUs focusing on commercial bus and coach movement."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The new guidebook and review of BIMP-EAGA MoUs mark a step towards streamlined regulations and enhanced logistics efficiency, boosting regional competitiveness and economic integration between Sarawak, Sabah, and Brunei.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}