Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Ewon Benedick will present interim proposals to ease congestion at Sepanggar port to the state cabinet, reported Kuala Lumpur's Free Malaysia Today.

Mr. Benedick, who is also the state minister for industrial development, entrepreneurship, and transport, stated that congestion at the port has been designated as his ministry's top priority, as the facility is vital to Sabah's industrial and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

He emphasized that immediate measures are necessary, as long-term projects, including port expansion, will take time. Congestion directly affects supply chains, logistics costs, and the competitiveness of industries and entrepreneurs in the state, he noted.

Mr. Benedick mentioned that he traveled with a prime mover to observe conditions while collecting a container from a depot in the Kota Kinabalu industrial area to Sepanggar port. The inspection confirmed that industry concerns were valid, with operational efficiency issues requiring urgent attention.

He indicated that discussions will be held before the Cabinet paper is tabled. Sepanggar port, located about 20 km northeast of Kota Kinabalu, is undergoing expansion to raise capacity from 500,000 to 1.2 million TEU annually, although the project has faced delays.