Sabah’s logistic and maritime centers are set to benefit from the removal of Port Klang as the sole national load center, according to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. He described the decision as a “magnanimous move” by the government, stating that opening up all ports as national load centers will boost the state’s economy in the long run.
In a statement on Monday (Mar 4), the state Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industry Minister emphasized that with the abolition of the cabotage and national load center policies, the Federal Government needs to reassess their priorities on ports and the maritime industry in Sabah. Jeffrey stressed the importance of ensuring adequate and timely funding to enable Sabah to capitalize on this policy change and enhance its trade, industry, and maritime sectors to increase cargo volume.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced last week that the Cabinet had decided to eliminate the national load center policy from the 1990s, which centralized all-cargo services in Port Klang. Jeffrey revealed that he had been advocating for Kota Kinabalu’s Sepangar Container Port to be declared the second national load center after Port Klang, but previous federal administrations had rejected his appeals.
He highlighted the strategic location of Sabah and Sepangar Port in the center of the Asean region and as the gateway to the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area) sub-region. By opening up all ports as national load centers, Sabah stands to harness its potential as a key player in the region’s logistics and maritime sectors.
Jeffrey expressed optimism that the revised policies will provide opportunities for Sabah to strengthen its position as a vital hub for trade and industry within the Asean region. He urged the Federal Government to channel resources towards developing Sabah’s ports and maritime infrastructure to support increased cargo volume and facilitate smoother logistics operations.
The removal of Port Klang as the sole national load center signifies a significant shift in Malaysia’s maritime policy, indicating a more diversified and decentralized approach to cargo handling. This move is expected to stimulate economic growth in Sabah and promote greater connectivity with neighboring Asean countries.
Sabah’s strategic location and access to key regional markets position it as a prime candidate for enhancing its role in maritime trade. By leveraging its ports and maritime assets, Sabah can capitalize on emerging opportunities in the logistics and shipping sectors, driving economic development and job creation in the state.
With the Federal Government’s support and commitment to developing Sabah’s maritime industry, the state is poised to emerge as a key player in the regional maritime landscape. The decision to abolish the national load center policy marks a new chapter for Sabah’s logistics and maritime sectors, paving the way for increased investment and growth in these critical areas.
As Sabah prepares to build on its strengths and capitalize on the policy changes, stakeholders in the state’s logistics and maritime industries are optimistic about the opportunities ahead. By aligning with the evolving national maritime framework, Sabah can position itself as a dynamic and competitive player in the regional maritime economy.
The removal of Port Klang as the exclusive national load center opens up new possibilities for Sabah to expand its footprint in the maritime sector and enhance its contributions to Malaysia’s overall shipping and logistics landscape. With a strategic focus on developing its ports and infrastructure, Sabah is poised to emerge as a key maritime hub in the Asean region.
