STATE Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the Sabah Government is open to reviewing the recent hike in Sepanggar Port charges after logistics and freight forwarding associations raised concerns over rising operational costs.
“We have discussed this with the Sabah Ports Authority and we are studying it so that it becomes a win-win situation for all parties,” he said, adding he had met with the Sabah Freight Forwarding and Logistics Associations on Sunday and would meet them again on Saturday.
“This is continuous engagement,” he said in his winding-up speech on the Sabah Ports (Privatisation) (Amendment) Enactment 2026 Bill, Thursday.
He said the charges at Sepanggar Port were revised after engagement sessions with port user associations, who acknowledged the increase would affect their operating costs.
He said the higher charges were introduced mainly as a deterrent after it was found that about 103 containers had overstayed at the port before he took over the Ministry, with the longest case reaching 407 days.
“The rate was too cheap. It was cheaper to leave a container at the port than to rent space at a depot or store it elsewhere,” he said.
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Ewon said a rule was also introduced allowing any container left beyond 21 days to be disposed of, which prompted owners to immediately clear their overstaying containers once notified.
He said some port user associations had appealed for the charges to be reviewed, noting that other action plans, including a proposal for 24-hour port operations, had yet to be implemented as the matter was still pending a decision from the Customs Department.
He said the Shipping Owners Association and the Forwarding Association would be included in the Ministry's task force monitoring Sepanggar Port operations.
“I do not think there has been a task force before that includes non-governmental organisations in a government task force, but we have chosen to include all stakeholders so that monthly engagement can take place,” he said.
He said he also agreed to hold a briefing for all interested assemblymen on port matters, covering not only Sepanggar but also other ports in Sabah, with the State Finance Ministry agreeing to include a briefing on port financial governance.
He proposed that the State Assembly office host the briefing so relevant agencies could explain technical and operational matters directly to assemblymen.
He also addressed reports of congestion stretching up to four kilometres at Sepanggar Port, saying such claims, if unverified, could affect investor confidence.
“If there are inaccurate reports about four kilometres of congestion, how can that attract investment? We take this seriously because the media reports what we say. So please verify first,” he said.
Ewon said an assessment of the port operator would be carried out as part of ongoing government oversight, with his Ministry sitting on a task force monitoring operations and Cabinet receiving regular updates.
He also cited progress at Tawau Port, saying two quay cranes were being installed following discussions with Sabah Ports, the Sabah Ports Authority and Suria Capital, with operations expected to begin as early as the following week.
“This is the Sabah First spirit we want to bring in this term so that Sabah's problems are solved by Sabah's people, solved by Sabah's leaders,” he said.
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