Kota Kinabalu: Parti Warisan Vice President Datuk Junz Wong said the decision to raise daily container storage charges by more than 100 per cent — from RM12 to RM30 for a 20-foot container and from RM24 to RM60 for a 40-foot container — is difficult to justify while Sepanggar Port users continue to face delays and operational bottlenecks.
“You cannot impose premium-level charges when service efficiency has yet to reach an acceptable standard. Businesses are effectively being asked to pay more while still enduring congestion and uncertainty,” he said in a statement.
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The Tanjung Aru Assemblyman said the industry associations are not opposing port upgrades or long-term improvements but are calling for fair sequencing.
“Warisan supports infrastructure enhancement and modernisation efforts. However, fee increases should follow demonstrable improvements in turnaround time and cargo clearance efficiency — not precede them,” he said.
Junz pointed out that storage charges disproportionately affect importers when delays are beyond their control.
“When containers are delayed due to yard congestion or operational inefficiencies, traders end up paying higher storage fees for circumstances they did not create. That is neither equitable nor economically sound,” he added.
He said that the higher logistics costs would inevitably be passed on to consumers, compounding existing cost-of-living pressures in Sabah.
“This is no longer just a port management issue. It is a bread-and-butter issue. Increased storage charges will translate into higher prices for essential goods, especially for small and medium enterprises that operate on thin margins,” he said.
Junz also urged the GRS State Government and the management of Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd to prioritise clearing congestion and fully implementing the temporary action plan before enforcing the revised tariff structure.
“At a minimum, the implementation should be deferred until measurable improvements are achieved. Stakeholders must see tangible results first. Only then can any revision in charges be reasonably considered,” he said.
He emphasised that as the main maritime gateway for Sabah, the operational performance of the Sepanggar facility has direct implications for the State’s competitiveness and economic stability.
“Warisan stands with the industry players in calling for a practical and fair approach. The Government must ensure that policies are implemented in the right order — efficiency first, fees later,” he said.
He also urged the authorities to engage transparently with industry representatives to restore confidence and prevent further strain on businesses and consumers alike.
