TAMPARULI Assemblyman Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said ports must form part of Sabah’s industrial development strategy if the State wants to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to its economy.
He said this when debating the Sabah Ports Authority Enactment (Amendment) 2026 Bill, Wednesday.
Madius said Sabah needed a more resilient economy, and a resilient economy required a strong manufacturing sector.
“The manufacturing sector’s contribution to Sabah’s economy remains at around 7.2 per cent, far lower compared to Penang, Selangor and Johor. If Sabah truly wants to raise the manufacturing sector’s contribution to more than 30 per cent in the future, then ports must be part of that strategy,” he said.
Madius, who is POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd Chairman, said without efficient and investor-friendly ports, that goal would be difficult to achieve.
He also reminded the Sabah Ports Authority that it should no longer be seen merely as a regulatory body and should instead grow into an organisation that facilitates investment.
“Ports are not just transport infrastructure but serve as a gateway for investment, a catalyst for the manufacturing sector and a hub for international trade. Ports must become a strategic partner to the manufacturing, logistics and export sectors and to all agencies working to bring investment into Sabah,” Madius said.
