By WU VUIDE
KUCHING: Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick said closer cooperation between Sabah and Sarawak would serve as a catalyst for the development agenda in industrial growth, entrepreneurship and trade across the Borneo region.
Ewon, who is also Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister, said both states need each other and should strengthen collaboration in various areas, including transport connectivity, utility supply, port development and border coordination, to ensure regional economic development can be driven more effectively.
“We discussed the need for closer cooperation between Sarawak and Sabah, particularly on matters involving both sides such as connectivity of road, utility, port and many other areas, including industrial development.
“Sabah needs Sarawak, and Sarawak also needs Sabah to ensure that the Borneo region can develop more effectively through stronger cooperation,” he said after paying a courtesy call on Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Ewon said both parties had agreed to formalise the cooperation by initiating coordination at the senior officials’ level between Sabah’s Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET) and Sarawak’s Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRADE).
“We have agreed to formalise this cooperation, beginning with coordination between senior ministry officials in Sarawak and Sabah.
“I would like to thank Datuk Amar Awang Tengah for this meeting, and I look forward to the next meeting and closer cooperation in the future,” he said.
He further said that industrial development in both states is complementary in nature and requires better coordination to optimise their respective economic potential.
He cited that downstream palm oil-based industries in Sarawak require raw material supplies from Sabah, while industrial development in Sabah depends on utility supplies from Sarawak.
“Likewise, there is the issue of border coordination. Some construction materials from northern Sarawak need to pass through Sepanggar Port in Sabah.
“These are among the matters we discussed, and they clearly require a more formal cooperation framework between the two state governments,” he said.
Ewon added that, besides industrial development, closer cooperation is also needed to strengthen land, sea and air transport links, as well as to coordinate border-related regulations to facilitate the movement of goods and enhance cross-border trade.
He said the visit marked his first official trip to Sarawak since rejoining the Sabah government and expressed confidence that stronger ties between the two states would bring significant benefits to the development of the Borneo region.
“I am confident that close relations such as these between Sarawak and Sabah will help advance the trade agenda in this region,” he said.
Ewon also confirmed his attendance at the Borneo International Halal Showcase 2026, organised by the Sarawak government in July, and also extended an official invitation to Awang Tengah to attend the Sabah International Expo 2026, organised by the Sabah government and scheduled to take place in September.
Ewon (second, left), presents a souvenir to Awang Tengah as other officers look on.
