SANDAKAN: Former Tanjong Papat assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon has called for urgent state intervention to address a mounting crisis at Sandakan Port, cautioning that operational failures are threatening the local economy.
While interim measures for Sepanggar Port are welcome, the Sabah State Government must give immediate attention to the “escalating crisis” at Sandakan Port, Poon said.
Poon issued the remarks following Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ewon Benedict’s recent announcement of interim measures to tackle congestion at Sepanggar Port.
While acknowledging those steps, Poon insisted that “immediate and serious attention” is equally critical for Sandakan, where severe operational delays are disrupting trade, especially with the peak Chinese New Year season approaching, Poon said.
Poon warned that the delays are increasing costs, burdening SMEs, and weakening the local economy. He stated that “a well-functioning and efficient port is not a luxury; it is a fundamental economic necessity” for Sandakan, which he called a key economic pillar of Sabah.
Expressing concern over regional development disparities, Poon noted that Sandakan has been “increasingly perceived as being marginalized” in infrastructure and logistics planning. He cautioned that inaction would fuel the perception that the port’s problems are “structural and systemic,” ultimately stifling the region’s growth.
He concluded with a direct appeal to the state leadership to “act swiftly and transparently” and to present a clear action plan to resolve the port’s issues, for the benefit of Sandakan and Sabah’s wider economy. – James Leong
Poon insisted that “immediate and serious attention” is equally critical for Sandakan.
