Kota Kinabalu: A transport and logistics expert has urged the Sabah state government to establish a full-fledged Ministry of Transport to undertake institutional reform and long-term strategic planning.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Malaysia former president and CILT International for Southeast Asia vice-president Datuk Dr Ramli Amir stated that currently, Sabah’s transport and logistics matters are handled under broader portfolios without ministerial focus. He noted that the formation of the Sabah Logistics Council (SLC) was a step forward in addressing the state’s fragmented and underperforming infrastructure system. However, logistics and policy experts believe this remains insufficient to tackle systemic issues.
“A full-fledged Ministry of Transport in Sabah would ensure funding, centralised leadership, and the authority to develop a comprehensive Sabah logistics and transport masterplan,” Ramli told Bernama. He emphasized that such a ministry would be responsible for integrating all transportation modes – road, rail, sea, air, and public transit – into a single, cohesive framework.
Ramli highlighted the need to shift from reactive, ad hoc fixes to a strategic, data-driven model of planning, which includes long-term priorities such as rural logistics, smart mobility, and decarbonisation. At the heart of this transformation lies Sabah’s first comprehensive transport masterplan, which he proposed would guide infrastructure development until 2050 and beyond, aligning projects with economic goals and ensuring environmental sustainability.
The proposed masterplan would connect key hubs like Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park and Sepanggar Bay Container Port, while also addressing rural access and transport equity. Ramli opined that intermodal connectivity must be at the core, as Sabah’s terrain demands a multimodal approach, and the infrastructure strategy must reflect that. He also stressed the importance of designing climate-resilient systems and promoting low-emission transport solutions.
In addition to guiding infrastructure priorities, Ramli said the master plan would help attract private investment and drive innovation. By aligning Sabah’s strategy with national policies through platforms like the National Transport Council, the plan would ensure both local relevance and national coherence. He underscored that logistics is not just about moving goods, but about enabling competitiveness, investment, and growth.
“Establishing a dedicated Ministry of Transport in Sabah is no longer optional. It is a critical step toward addressing infrastructure fragmentation and transforming Sabah into a regional logistics hub,” Ramli stressed. With a clear institutional structure and long-term planning in place, he concluded that Sabah could finally move beyond piecemeal infrastructure development and lay the foundation for inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready economic progress.