THE State Assembly on Wednesday passed the Sabah Ports Authority (Amendment) Enactment 2026, a consequential amendment updating references to the minister responsible for ports following the restructuring of state ministry portfolios.
The Bill was tabled by Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick and debated by six assemblymen representing Moyog, Tanjung Aru, Tamparuli, Bugaya, Elopura and Tanjong Papat.
Ewon said the amendment was purely consequential, arising from the new portfolios assigned to ministries.
“The purpose of this amendment is a consequential only. This follows the new portfolio of the ministries we now have, so that one day, if there is an additional ministry, it will no longer be referred to as the Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, but simply as the Minister,” he said.
He said the Bill’s retrospective effect from Dec 3, 2025, was in line with the gazetted division of government portfolios under Article 9(1) of the Sabah State Constitution.
“This retrospective effect does not create any new power, right or obligation, but is a consequential amendment to reflect the portfolio assignment that has already been in force since that date,” he said.
He said the exemption clause would preserve continuity of administration.
“This provision ensures that all actions, directives, approvals, consents, appointments and decisions made by the minister before and after the portfolio restructuring continue to have legal force and effect and are deemed to have been made under this enactment,” he said.
