Kota Kinabalu: Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the Customs Department has yet to decide on a request to formally gazette Sepanggar Port for 24-hour operations, despite port operator DP World already processing container clearance around the clock.
“A formal request has been submitted and remained pending,” he said when tabling the Sabah Ports Authority (Amendment) Enactment 2026, Wednesday.
“On 29 June, a letter was sent by the Sabah Customs Department stating they are awaiting a decision from their headquarters regarding the Sabah Government’s request for Sepanggar Port to be gazetted for 24-hour operations,” he said.
He said even with round-the-clock port activity, depots and destinations outside the gate closed much earlier.
“If a trailer lorry brings a container out, its depot has already closed, the destination has already closed too. Most destinations close at five, six, or at the latest maybe seven or eight,” he said.
Ewon said engagement with industry stakeholders had found little appetite for night or overtime work.
“Not one of them said they were willing to pay their staff to work on those holidays, and not many were willing to pay overtime for night work,” he said.
He cited Kibing, a major KKIP investor operating 24 hours a day.
“Kibing complained to me that it is difficult to get service providers who can transport their containers from the factory to the port in the middle of the night,” he said.
