Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led State government has drawn up measures to resolve State’s energy challenges which were outlined by caretaker State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
Former Senator Datuk John Ambrose said Sabah’s energy roadmap is as a “reassuring step forward” and a demonstration of leadership that places the needs of the people and economic growth at the forefront.
“This is precisely why Sabahans must continue to support GRS-PH. They have a solid, long-term vision and are already taking real steps to regain control over our energy future,” John said.
Masidi, in a recent interview, outlined the Sabah government’s twin-track strategy of implementing long-term renewable energy generation—such as solar and hydropower—while also supporting pragmatic short- and medium-term solutions like allowing industrial zones to establish their own Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
John lauded this move, saying allowing major industrial areas to produce their own electricity is a practical way to reduce reliance on the central grid and freeing up energy for domestic use.
He also echoed Masidi’s reminder that although energy generation and distribution in Sabah are still largely under federal control through Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the State government has not shied away from stepping up to take responsibility.
The recent passing of three major energy bills in the Sabah Legislative Assembly paves the way for Sabah to officially assume regulatory control over electricity supply and renewable energy development.
The three Bills were the Sabah Energy Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Electricity Supply Bill 2024, and the Renewable Energy Bill 2024.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor had spoken of the state’s intention to fully take over SESB (Sabah Electricity) within seven years.
Currently, 83 per cent of Sabah Electrciity shares are owned by TNB, with the remainder held by the Sabah government.
The move is in line with the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Masterplan 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040), which sets out the vision of transforming Sabah into an energy-resilient, low-carbon state by 2040.
“This is a government (GRS-PH) that doesn’t just talk—they act. They’ve passed laws, they’ve drafted roadmaps like SE-RAMP 2040, and they’re preparing to eventually take over SESB. That’s leadership Sabah needs,” he said.
John further emphasized that with the global push toward clean energy, Sabah’s commitment to becoming a low-carbon, energy-resilient state by 2040 is timely and necessary.
“GRS-PH is not only thinking about solving today’s power outages. They are laying the foundation for a self-reliant Sabah, where our children won’t have to depend on the whims of external entities for something as basic as electricity.”
Thus he urged voters to back GRS-PH in the upcoming elections to ensure continuity of the state’s energy reform agenda and to support leaders who “understand the complexities of governance and have the political will to bring real change.”
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