Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is urged to elevate Pulau Banggi beyond a remote border island by turning its prime geographic position into a fully-fledged Northern Maritime and Aviation Gateway to drive regional growth and connectivity.
Sabah Bumiputera SME Chamber Vice-President cum BIMP-EAGA Business Council Malaysia Sabah Country Director Dr Raymond Alfred said developments in Balabac and southern Palawan should not be seen only through a security lens, but as a clear signal to seize economic opportunity.
“Banggi sits strategically at the heart of trade routes linking Sabah, Palawan, Mindanao, Brunei and the wider BIMP-EAGA sub-region … we must respond with development, not defensiveness,” he said.
His bold master plan calls for a dedicated regional airport with full feasibility and design work; an integrated maritime logistics hub; a Blue Economy and Maritime Special Economic Zone; plus a humanitarian-disaster response and digital connectivity backbone.
“The goal is to boost fisheries, tourism, air cargo, logistics, renewable energy and SME trade, while locking local communities and Sabah Bumiputera businesses as core beneficiaries,” said Raymond.
“Banggi already holds the geography — what it lacks is policy, infrastructure and investment vision,” he added.
He proposed a Banggi Northern Borneo Gateway 2035 Task Force to coordinate plans and forge a true Kudat-Banggi-Palawan connectivity corridor — turning proximity into shared prosperity and stronger regional cooperation.