Ewon, Madius and Fredian with the workshop participants during the dinner event.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is at a critical stage in its economic development, requiring all ministries, departments and agencies to work as “Team Sabah” to better support and facilitate investors, particularly in the POIC Lahad Datu industrial park and port.
POIC Sabah Chairman Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau stressed this during the opening of a three-day corporate culture workshop in Lahad Datu recently.
Madius, who is also Tuaran MP and Tamparuli Assemblyman, said stronger coordination is crucial amid growing concern over the increasing number of Sabahan youths seeking jobs outside the state due to limited quality and industrial-based employment locally.
“This situation cannot continue if we are serious about retaining talent and building a stronger future for Sabah.
“For Sabah’s industrial parks to remain attractive, the overall cost of doing business must stay competitive, including reliable electricity and water supply, as well as efficient logistics and transportation systems,” he said.
The workshop gathered about 100 participants, including POIC Sabah board members and staff, representatives from state and federal agencies and industry players.
It was officiated by Deputy Chief Minister III cum Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Also present were MINDET Permanent Secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin, Sabah Finance Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary (Development) Datuk Chee Shok Ting, Sabah State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) Director Datuk Jasmine Teo, POIC Sabah Deputy Chairman Dato’ Dr Janathan Kandok and Group CEO Datuk Fredian Gan.
Madius said the Sabah Government has taken positive steps to attract investments, including granting Free Zone status at POIC Lahad Datu, which offers tax incentives.
He said the initiative reflects the state’s commitment to industrialisation and economic transformation, but emphasised that stronger collective action is still needed.
“Compared to Penang, Johor and Selangor, where the industrial sector contributes over 30 per cent to GDP, Sabah’s contribution remains at about 7.2 per cent.
“This shows Sabah still has significant untapped industrial potential that must be urgently developed,” he said.
Madius also urged stakeholders to abandon silo mentalities that have long hindered progress.
“The time has come for all parties to work cohesively as Team Sabah to accelerate economic transformation, strengthen investor confidence, and create sustainable jobs and business opportunities,” he said.
He added that economic transformation requires strong coordination, shared responsibility and unified commitment across the entire government machinery.
Meanwhile, Fredian said POIC Sabah is actively promoting the industrial park to attract high-impact manufacturing investors, noting that success depends on close collaboration among all agencies.
“To achieve this, POIC Sabah and all related agencies must stand together as Team Sabah to position our industrial parks as preferred investment destinations,” he said.
He added that initiatives being explored include developing an oil and gas support ecosystem, high-value bioeconomy industries, ESG-driven projects, a green automated port, a green trucking ecosystem, dedicated power infrastructure, and centres of excellence for renewable energy and bioeconomy.
POIC Sabah is also exploring the development of a regional data centre ecosystem to further strengthen Sabah’s long-term economic resilience and industrial competitiveness.
