PENAMPANG: Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick said Sabah must “build a new economic history” through the Sabah First agenda, calling for stronger participation of local entrepreneurs in the state’s investment and industrial sectors.
He said Sabah First is not solely the ministry’s responsibility but must be embraced by chambers, business associations and the wider entrepreneurship ecosystem.
“I want Sabahans to be the real beneficiaries of economic growth, not merely observers of development taking place around them,” he said at the 11th KCCI Installation and Oath Taking Ceremony in here.
He said this includes elevating product quality, certification standards and service delivery among SMEs to ensure they can compete in wider markets.
Ewon linked the agenda to the state’s long-standing 40 per cent revenue entitlement claim, saying clear information is needed on how much corporate tax companies operating in KKIP and POIC actually contribute to Sabah.
He said this transparency is essential to ensure that Sabah receives fair returns from industrial activities taking place within the state.
Ewon said he raised this issue during visits to KKIP and POIC, adding that the audit of corporate contributions should reflect the real value extracted from Sabah’s industrial zones.
He said the State Government is committed to ensuring that more Sabahans earn higher incomes not only as business owners but also as skilled workers in domestic and foreign investment companies.
Ewon also said the consolidation of transport agencies, including Sabah Ports Authority, the Railway Department and the Marine Department under his ministry would streamline logistics management and improve investment efficiency.
“The new structure will help strengthen Sabah’s industrial ecosystem, particularly in facilitating movement of goods and supporting supply chain reliability,” he said.
Ewon urged business chambers, including KCCI, to continue providing consistent input to the ministry to help shape policy direction and economic planning.
He said he will visit all agencies under his ministry within two weeks to ensure preparations for the 2026 implementation framework are completed by January.
