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BONGAWAN could emerge as a strategic centre for Sabah’s oil and gas industry, according to Tan Sri Anifah Aman, who is contesting the constituency under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) banner in the 17th Sabah general election.
Anifah, the former Kimanis MP and ex-Foreign Minister, said the Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT) in Kimanis, which he helped establish during his parliamentary tenure, demonstrated the area’s potential for industrial development.
“This is not merely a political proposal but a development agenda that I am confident can be achieved based on my experience and the potential Bongawan possesses.
“We successfully established SOGT in Kimanis, which is now a pillar of Sabah's energy industry, and if that can be done, it is not impossible for Bongawan to replicate the same success,” he said.
The Parti Cinta Sabah president stressed that the proposed O&G hub would deliver tangible benefits to the people of Bongawan, including accelerated local economic growth and broader employment opportunities for youth in both direct and support roles.
He also highlighted the planned upgrading of key infrastructure such as roads, small ports, water supply systems, electricity, and telecommunications, necessary to underpin the industrial hub.
“There are many more benefits from this initiative that will make Bongawan a new focal point in Sabah, and it could even become a strategic zone like Bintulu in Sarawak or Kemaman in Terengganu.
This will give Bongawan a new identity as Sabah's energy industry centre and elevate its recognition at the national level,” Anifah said.
He appealed to voters to grant him a mandate, underlining his commitment to completing development projects left unfinished during his previous tenure.
“Allow me to make up for what could not be fully accomplished before, as I do not want to leave behind an unfinished legacy. I want to complete what was left unresolved.
“This is to ensure that the people of Bongawan truly receive the development they deserve, and with a renewed mandate, I am ready to lead the effort to make Bongawan the heartbeat of Sabah's energy industry. This is the time for us to take Bongawan to greater heights beyond rhetoric and towards real implementation,” he said.
The announcement positions Bongawan as a potential future hub for Sabah’s energy sector, promising to combine industrial growth with infrastructural modernisation and socioeconomic benefits for local communities. - November 20, 2025
