Sabah’s New Ministry Cluster A ‘Strategic Inflexion Point’ For Transport Sector -- CILTM

By Jailani Hasan

LABUAN, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- Sabah has taken a decisive step toward modernising its transport governance via an expanded ministerial portfolio long viewed as central to the state’s economic future, said Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Malaysia (CILTM Sabah section) chairman Daniel Doughty.

He said CILTM has been steadfast in advocating for the elevation of the state’s transport sector to full ministry status since the establishment of the Sabah Logistics Council in June 2024. 

That call, driven by professional conviction and reinforced by industry stakeholders, has now aligned with the direction of state leadership, he said.

Doughty said the Sabah government’s decision to cluster transport under the newly expanded Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport marked a ministry-level mandate that places logistics and transport policy at the core of industrial growth, supply chain reform and infrastructure planning.

“The state government’s decision is not only timely, (but) it is also brave, it is necessary, and it is deeply significant.

“This move is a strategic inflexion point as the state government has chosen the right cluster at the right time, reinforcing that transport is now inseparable from industry, economic growth, and supply chain modernisation,” he said in a statement to Bernama today.

He said transport is no longer a supporting actor but the “spine of Sabah’s industrial future”, adding that the realignment signals strategic maturity and a long-term commitment to policy coherence, regulatory alignment and coordinated development.

“Now begins the real work -- CILTM Sabah suggests a comprehensive logistics and transport masterplan owned by Sabah, guided by expertise, driven by accountability, and synchronised for the decades ahead,” he said.

CILTM extended its congratulations to Datuk Ewon Benedick on his appointment as Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III and Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister, describing the role as pivotal to the state’s socioeconomic advancement.

He said the institute noted that it has long advocated for Sabah to develop its own logistics and transport masterplan, and said the new ministerial structure provides a responsible and workable pathway toward achieving it. 

“CILTM expressed confidence that the mission will be industry-supported, strengthened by interagency alignment and guided by a distinctly Sabahan vision.

“CILTM Sabah Section reiterates its readiness to support the state government through technical planning, industry consultation and professional governance frameworks, and will continue bringing together partners across the private sector, government agencies and academia to advance Sabah’s long-term logistics blueprint,” he said.

Doughty added the Sabah section would soon set another milestone in motion by bringing the industry together at its flagship annual event on Dec 14 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu, to recognise industry achievements, honour local talent and reinforce the institute’s commitment to strengthening Sabah’s logistics capacity, standards and global competitiveness.

-- BERNAMA