Set Up Sabah's Transport Ministry To Drive Logistics Reform -- Expert

By Jailani Hasan

LABUAN, June 25 (Bernama) -- A transport and logistics expert has urged the Sabah state government to establish a full-fledged Ministry of Transport to undertake institutional reform and long-term strategic planning.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Malaysia former president and CILT International for Southeast Asia vice-president Datuk Dr Ramli Amir said that currently, Sabah’s transport and logistics matters are handled under broader portfolios without ministerial focus. 

He said the formation of the Sabah Logistics Council (SLC) was a step forward to address the state's fragmented and underperforming infrastructure system, but according to logistics and policy experts, this remains insufficient to address systemic issues.

“A full-fledged Ministry of Transport in Sabah would ensure funding, centralised leadership, and the authority to develop a comprehensive Sabah logistics and transport masterplan,” he told Bernama today.

He emphasised that such a ministry would be responsible for integrating all transportation modes -- road, rail, sea, air, and public transit -- into a single, cohesive framework. 

“We need to move from reactive, ad hoc fixes to a strategic, data-driven model of planning. This includes (long-term priorities such as) rural logistics, smart mobility, and decarbonisation,” he added.

Ramli said that at the heart of this transformation lies Sabah’s first comprehensive transport masterplan. 

He said the proposed document would guide infrastructure development until 2050 and beyond, aligning projects with economic goals and ensuring environmental sustainability. 

It would connect key hubs such as Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park and Sepanggar Bay Container Port, while addressing rural access and transport equity, he said.

He opined that intermodal connectivity must be at the core as Sabah’s terrain demands a multimodal approach, and our infrastructure strategy must reflect that. 

“We must also design climate-resilient systems and promote low-emission transport solutions,” he said.

Ramli said that, in addition to guiding infrastructure priorities, the master plan would help attract private investment and drive innovation. 

By aligning Sabah’s strategy with national policies through platforms like the National Transport Council, he said the plan would ensure both local relevance and national coherence.

He said logistics is not just about moving goods, it is about enabling competitiveness, investment, and growth. 

“Establishing a dedicated Ministry of Transport in Sabah is no longer optional. It is a critical step toward addressing infrastructure fragmentation and transforming Sabah into a regional logistics hub,” stressed Ramli.

With a clear institutional structure and long-term planning in place, Sabah could finally move beyond piecemeal infrastructure development and lay the foundation for inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready economic progress, he added.

-- BERNAMA