Sarawak’s Self-reliant Infrastructure Surge Sets It Apart From Federally Dependent Sabah
By Jailani Hasan
LABUAN, June 25 (Bernama) -- Despite sharing similar geographies and economic aspirations, Sarawak and Sabah have taken markedly different paths in infrastructure development.
Former President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Malaysia and vice-president of CILT International for Southeast Asia, Datuk Dr Ramli Amir, said Sarawak has emerged as a model of self-reliance, independently funding large-scale infrastructure projects.
At the same time, Sabah remains heavily dependent on federal allocations, resulting in development delays and fragmented logistics.
“Over the past decade, Sarawak has allocated billions of ringgit toward roads, bridges, ports, and industrial zones, all without resorting to debt or federal funding.
“The state government’s fiscal discipline and adoption of innovative financing, including an alternative funding model introduced in 2019, have enabled accelerated infrastructure rollout.
“Sarawak’s commitment to strategic financial management is exemplified by the RM11 billion invested in ten bridges, executed without external borrowing,” he said in a statement to Bernama today.
Ramli said the decision to replace the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund with a unified modern financing mechanism highlights the state's focus on project efficiency and accountability.
He added that political stability and a long-term vision have also enabled Sarawak to maintain consistent development through initiatives such as the Coastal Road Network, the Second Trunk Road, deep-seaports, and free industrial zones.
“In contrast, Sabah faces persistent infrastructure gaps, largely due to its dependence on federal grants. Although the state has gained autonomy for projects below RM50 million, larger infrastructure ventures remain subject to federal processes.
“This has resulted in underinvestment and chronic delays, such as those plaguing the Pan Borneo Sabah Highway,” Ramli said.
He noted that the logistics sector in Sabah is particularly strained, with transport costs reportedly 30 to 50 per cent higher than in Peninsular Malaysia, and public transport penetration in Kota Kinabalu lags far behind Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, many rural areas still lack basic infrastructure, and poor connectivity continues to hinder economic growth.
Sabah’s reliance on fragmented and reactive infrastructure planning has limited its potential for sustainable economic transformation.
Commenting on the contrast, Ramli said Sarawak’s success is rooted in its institutional leadership and fiscal autonomy.
“The state’s ability to independently manage and finance its infrastructure agenda should serve as a wake-up call for Sabah to strengthen its internal capacities,” he said.
-- BERNAMA