CILT Malaysia Sabah Honours Industry Excellence, Highlights Sector Reforms
KOTA KINABALU, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The logistics and transport industry in Sabah and Labuan took centre stage last night as the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Malaysia (CILT Malaysia) Sabah Section honoured industry excellence while highlighting key institutional reforms shaping the sector’s future.
The Gala Dinner and Awards Night 2025, held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), recognised organisations and individuals whose contributions continue to strengthen regional trade, mobility and supply chain resilience.
The event was attended by Sabah Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET) Deputy Permanent Secretary Suhaib Ismail, representing Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, Deputy Sabah State Secretary Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Mohd Kassim, and CILT Malaysia Deputy President Dr Zawiah Abdul Majid.
In his address, CILT Malaysia Sabah Section chairman Daniel Doughty said logistics is the structure that determines whether opportunity reaches people or bypasses them, underscoring the sector’s central role in economic development.
He highlighted key milestones achieved through sustained industry advocacy, including the establishment of the Sabah Logistics Council in 2024 and the elevation of transport into ministerial leadership through the creation of MINDET.
“These were not symbolic wins, they were structural corrections, placing authority, coordination and accountability where they belong,” he said at the CILT Sabah Gala Dinner 2025 last night.
Doughty also called for the development of a comprehensive Sabah Logistics and Transport Masterplan, stressing that without a unified decision-making framework, projects compete, policies fragment and resources lose impact.
He said CILT Malaysia would continue to support Sabah through professional, independent and data-driven technical advisory services, including railway planning expertise, as the state explores new transport corridors and industrial strategies.
A historic highlight of the evening was the formal inclusion of Labuan-based recipients among the award winners for the first time, reflecting the Sabah Section’s expanded mandate to serve both Sabah and Labuan as a single, complementary logistics ecosystem.
Labuan was positioned not as a competitor, but as Sabah’s offshore maritime and logistics advantage, particularly in oil and gas, maritime services and international finance.
Among the recipients of the Logistics Company of the Year (Large Enterprise) award were MTT Shipping & Logistics Bhd, Sailion Shipping Sdn Bhd and TS Shipping and Forwarding Sdn Bhd, while Asia Shipping and Forwarding (Sabah) Sdn Bhd and DB Logistics Sdn Bhd were recognised under the small and medium enterprise (SME) category.
Outstanding Transport Service Operator awards went to CT Forwarding and Transport Sdn Bhd and Binabalu Sdn Bhd (Galaxy Ferry), while the Port and Terminal Excellence Award was received by DPW Sabah Sdn Bhd, POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd and Megah Port Management Sdn Bhd. Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd received the Green and Sustainable Excellence Award.
Individual honours included Logistics and Transport Professional of the Year awards to Datuk Johnson Dai of Enotrans Sdn Bhd and David Agang of Asian Supply Base Sdn Bhd, alongside Young Achiever Awards and Women in Logistics and Transport Awards recognising emerging and established professionals in the industry.
Special Recognition Awards for Distinguished Dedication and Honour were also presented to several senior figures for their long-standing contributions to the sector.
As CILT Malaysia Sabah Section approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026, the institute reaffirmed its commitment to continue serving Sabah and Labuan through professional leadership, policy advocacy and industry development, in partnership with MINDET and industry stakeholders.
“If Sabah’s development is the story, then logistics is the pen. Tonight, we recognise those who have written the strongest chapters, and we commit to writing a better one together,” Doughty said.
--BERNAMA