By Datuk Ts Dr. Hj Ramli Amir, former President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Malaysia and Vice-President of CILT International for Southeast Asia
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s logistics sector is at a crossroads. For years, the state has struggled with fragmented transport governance, inefficiencies, and a lack of coordinated planning.
These challenges have not only hampered economic growth but have also made it difficult for Sabah to fully realize its potential as a logistics and trade hub in the region.
In this context, the proposal to expand the existing Ministry of Works into a full-fledged Ministry of Transport and Works stands out as the most practical and effective solution.
This model leverages existing strengths, avoids unnecessary costs, and provides the unified authority that experts agree is essential for meaningful reform.
The Case for a Centralized Transport Authority
At the heart of Sabah’s logistics crisis is a fundamental problem: fragmentation. Multiple government agencies, each with overlapping powers and responsibilities, operate in silos. This has led to confusion, duplication of effort, and a chronic lack of strategic direction.
The absence of a single, centralized authority means that no one entity has the mandate or capacity to plan, coordinate, and oversee the development of an integrated transport system.
This fragmentation is not just a bureaucratic inconvenience—it is a major economic handicap. Experts estimate that inefficiencies in Sabah’s transport and logistics sector cost the state billions in lost opportunities every year.
For example, the lack of a central authority managing public transit in Kota Kinabalu has resulted in inconsistent service quality and an over-reliance on private vehicles.
This, in turn, has stifled the development of a modern, sustainable urban transport system and made it harder for businesses to move goods efficiently.
Road hauliers face similar challenges. They must navigate a maze of regulations and jurisdictions—federal, state, and even local—without a single point of contact or coordination.
This not only increases costs but also makes it harder for Sabah to compete with other regions that have more streamlined logistics systems
Building on a Strong Foundation: The Ministry of Works
The existing Ministry of Works is uniquely positioned to take on this expanded role. Led by an experienced engineer who also serves as Deputy Chief Minister, the ministry has a proven track record of managing large-scale infrastructure projects.
These include the Pan Borneo Highway, the Sapangar Bay Container Port expansion, the Kalabakan road, and various village road and clean water supply projects. This portfolio demonstrates the ministry’s capacity for overseeing complex, multi-agency initiatives and its ability to deliver results.
The Ministry of Works already has the institutional infrastructure, budget allocations, and administrative systems needed to manage major projects.
Its established relationships with federal agencies and contractors provide a strong foundation for expanding its mandate to include transport planning and coordination.
With the Sabah Logistics Council (SLC) placed under its wing, the ministry would be even better equipped to manage the state’s logistics and transportation needs.
Precedent and Authority for Expansion
Malaysia’s federal government has set a clear precedent for ministry expansion and portfolio integration. In December 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s cabinet reshuffle saw the expansion of the Cabinet from 28 to 31 ministers, including the restructuring of existing ministries to better align with governance needs.
This demonstrates that strategic ministry expansion is not only feasible but also an accepted administrative practice when justified by operational requirements.
Sabah’s own constitution provides the necessary authority for such an expansion. The State Constitution allows for flexibility in the composition and portfolios of the Cabinet, as long as the total number of ministers remains within specified limits.
Recent changes—such as the expansion of the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry to include the Food Industry, and the rebranding of the Industrial Development Ministry to cover Entrepreneurship—show that the state government is both willing and able to adapt its ministries to better serve public needs.
Advantages of Expanding the Ministry of Works
Expanding the Ministry of Works to include transport functions offers several clear advantages:
Existing Infrastructure and Capacity: The ministry already has the staff, systems, and expertise needed to manage large-scale projects and coordinate with other agencies.
Leadership Continuity: The current minister’s dual role as Deputy Chief Minister provides the political clout and technical know-how to drive reform.
Budget Efficiency: Building on existing structures avoids the high costs and administrative complexity of creating a new ministry from scratch.
Integrated Planning: Transport and works functions are naturally complementary. The Public Works Department (JKR) already handles road construction and maintenance, which are core components of any transport system.
Addressing Institutional Fragmentation
The expanded Ministry of Transport and Works would provide the unified authority needed to coordinate the various agencies involved in transport and logistics.
By bringing these agencies under a single ministerial framework, Sabah can finally move towards integrated planning, infrastructure development, and operations.
This is in line with best practices globally, where successful transport systems are managed by centralized authorities that oversee all aspects of planning, construction, maintenance, and service delivery.
The ministry would achieve planning integration by coordinating all agencies responsible for transport networks under its authority. This would ensure that transport policy, networks, and services are developed as part of a single, coherent system—rather than as a patchwork of disconnected initiatives.
Aligning with Federal Policy
The federal Ministry of Transport’s National Transport Policy 2019-2030 emphasizes the need for stronger coordination among agencies and industry players.
An expanded Sabah Ministry of Transport and Works would align perfectly with this policy, ensuring that state and federal efforts are mutually reinforcing. The federal government recognizes that effective transportation planning requires the coordination of multiple agencies and ministries, each with its own jurisdiction and responsibilities.
Implementation Pathway
Expanding the Ministry of Works can be accomplished through a straightforward process, following established precedents for ministry restructuring. The key steps would include:
Portfolio Integration: Broadening the current Works Ministry mandate to include comprehensive transport planning, coordination, and oversight functions.
Agency Coordination: Bringing transport-related agencies currently operating in silos under the ministry’s authority.
Federal Alignment: Ensuring effective coordination with federal transport agencies while maintaining state-level control over planning and infrastructure development.
Resource Optimization: Leveraging existing resources and expertise, while adding the necessary capacity for transport planning and logistics reform.
Limitations of the Sabah Logistics Council
While the Sabah Logistics Council (SLC) has played an important role as a coordinating platform, it lacks the funding authority, centralized leadership, and comprehensive mandate required to drive systemic change. Experts agree that only a full-fledged Transport Authority can provide the strategic focus and institutional authority needed to address Sabah’s unique geographical and economic challenges.
The SLC’s role as a coordinating body is valuable, but it cannot substitute for the leadership and accountability that a dedicated ministry would bring. With the SLC integrated into the expanded Ministry of Transport and Works, it could serve as a powerful implementation arm—helping to translate policy into action and ensuring that all stakeholders are working towards common goals.
A Vision for the Future: Integrated Transport Masterplan
Perhaps the most important benefit of expanding the Ministry of Works is the opportunity to develop an integrated transport masterplan for Sabah. Such a plan would provide a long-term roadmap for managing logistics and transport issues, enhancing economic activity, and attracting foreign direct investment. By creating a single point of ministerial accountability, Sabah would finally have the leadership needed to coordinate fragmented agencies, resolve long-standing issues, and drive the state’s logistics transformation.
Conclusion: Reform for Real Impact
Expanding the Ministry of Works into the Ministry of Transport and Works is not just a bureaucratic reshuffle—it is a strategic reform that addresses the root causes of Sabah’s logistics crisis. This approach combines administrative efficiency with comprehensive authority, providing the unified leadership that experts say is essential for meaningful change. It leverages existing strengths, maintains continuity, and avoids unnecessary costs. Most importantly, it creates the foundation for an integrated, modern transport system that can unlock Sabah’s economic potential and improve the lives of its people.
With this reform, Sabah can end the institutional vacuum that has perpetuated its logistics challenges and set a new course towards sustainable growth, competitiveness, and prosperity.
