Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Investment Plan (SIP) will be adopted as an official input into the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 (SMJ 2.0) development roadmap.
Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick said the proposal would be brought to his Ministry before being submitted as an official input to the SMJ 2.0 development plan.
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“The SIP outlines a clear strategic direction to position Sabah as a competitive investment destination over the next five years (2025–2030).
“I welcome Invest Sabah’s proposal to submit the SIP and further propose that it be adopted as a Ministry input for inclusion in the SMJ 2.0 roadmap.
“This is important to ensure that the State’s investment agenda moves in line with Sabah’s overall economic development targets,” he said when met by the media after his visit to Invest Sabah at Plaza Shell, here, on Monday.
Ewon, who is also State Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister, also shared his Ministry’s vision, including plans for investment promotion programmes targeting various global markets, not only China but also Southeast Asia, Europe and other strategic destinations.
“The roles of Invest Sabah and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) in investment promotion must be aligned so that each has a clear scope, particularly in developing the State’s industrial parks.
“I intend to hold discussions so that Invest Sabah is given full space to focus on investment promotion, while Sedia concentrates on infrastructure development and investment support within industrial parks,” he said.
He said this approach should be implemented alongside efforts to promote existing industrial areas while expanding coverage to other districts that have yet to establish industrial parks.
“Investments coming into Sabah should not be concentrated only in industrial parks in Kota Kinabalu, Sipitang, Lahad Datu, Kota Belud, Kudat and Kimanis. We want investment spillovers to reach all parts of Sabah,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Sabah Railway Department (JKNS) would carry out a feasibility and preliminary design for a railway system connecting Putatan to Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) and Sepanggar Port.
Ewon said the study is crucial to strengthening connectivity between industrial areas and ports across the State.
“I believe a better transport system is needed, especially to link industrial parks with ports throughout Sabah. This study will greatly assist the Sabah Government in determining the next course of action,” he said after a working visit to JKNS.
Ewon emphasised that the Trans-Borneo Railway Project feasibility study is ongoing, focusing on prioritising port connectivity across the State.
“JKNS has shared their input, prioritising Sabah’s ports, including Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Kudat, Kota Kinabalu and others.
“This will determine the alignment if approved, and once completed, the study will be submitted to the Government with recommended directions. This is still at the feasibility stage, with JKNS providing initial input,” he said.
He also highlighted the department’s commitment to enhancing services for train users commuting for work, school and daily routines.
Also present were Assistant Minister Datuk Jonnybone J. Kurum, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin, and JKNS Director Ir Mohammad Safri Abd Habi.
