Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick, paid an official visit to the Sabah Ports Authority (LPPS), where he received a comprehensive briefing on the authority’s current performance, role and future direction in port development across Sabah.
During the visit, Ewon also shared his ministry’s focus following the expansion of its portfolio, which now places transport under the ministry’s responsibility.
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“Besides understanding the ongoing initiatives being implemented by LPPS, I also shared my vision and direction for the Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport.
“I am confident that LPPS will continue to play an important role in regulating port development throughout Sabah, which is a key enabler for industrial investment in the state.
“I also hope that the Sabah First team at LPPS will continue to be strengthened to deliver quality services to stakeholders,” he said.
Ewon, who is also State Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister, earlier receiving a briefing from LPPS General Manager Dollyn Aloysius.
On congestion issues at Sepanggar Port, Ewon said the matter is being addressed through upgrading works and capacity enhancement at the port.
“Upgrading and capacity enhancement works at Sepanggar Port are ongoing despite delays, and a fourth extension of time (EOT) has been granted.
“I hope the project can proceed according to the revised schedule. I have a responsibility to monitor its implementation because any delay in the upgrading project at Sepanggar Port represents a loss to Sabah,” he said.
He expressed confidence that LPPS and the ministry can jointly shoulder the responsibility to ensure that all port upgrading projects in Sabah are successfully implemented.
Ewon said LPPS is also responsible for private jetties, including those operated by major factories, and stressed that enforcement and monitoring must be carried out to ensure Sabah’s rights, particularly in terms of revenue collection, are protected.
“The ministry will continue to work closely with other ministries, especially on access routes between industrial parks and ports, as well as cooperation between the State and Federal Governments on industrial development needs in Sabah,” he said.
He noted that from January to October 2025, LPPS, through ports across Sabah including the Sepanggar Bay Container Port, Tawau Port and Sandakan Port, handled a total of 445,054 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers.
Also present during the visit were Assistant Minister Datuk Jonnybone J Kurum, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin, as well as ministry and LPPS officials.
