Sabah Economic Advisory Council pushes for railway connectivity in BIMP-EAGA region
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SAEC) chairman Tan Sri David Chu has expressed optimism about the prospect of a railway service connecting Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia in the near future.
This ambitious project aims to enhance regional connectivity and boost economic development in the BIMP-EAGA region.
Speaking after a meeting with members of the BIMPEAGA Business Council Sabah and Chinese businessmen and investors, David emphasized the crucial role of foreign investors in realizing Sabah’s development and economic goals.
He expressed a warm welcome to Chinese companies, encouraging them to actively participate in various proposed projects, particularly the railway project.
In addition to the railway connectivity, another significant project that needs to be realized is the long-awaited ferry service connecting Kudat in Sabah to the neighboring Palawan Province in the Philippines.
David highlighted that the ferry service would have a positive impact on the economic aspects of both regions, benefiting the people and promoting regional growth.
The concept of the KudatPalawan sea connectivity has been discussed for three decades, and there is hope that it will finally come to fruition.
Benjamin Golimbi, the newly appointed chairman of the Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce Sabah (SBCCS) and BEBC Sabah Deputy Advisory cum SAEC member expressed optimism that the project will be realized within this year.
Talks are currently underway between Sabah and Palawan District 1 Congressman Jose C Alvarez, and further discussions are scheduled to take place in Puerto Princesa City next month, Benjamin added.
During the meeting, Dr Raymond Alfred, the BEBC chairman, presented several proposed development projects for the state.
He said one of the key projects is the Trans Borneo Railway in the BIMP-EAGA Corridor, which encompasses various areas such as Sipitang, Beaufort,
Kimanis, Papar, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Kota Kinabalu Central, Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, Tuaran, Kota Belud Industrial Park and Kudat Industrial Park.
Raymond said the BIMP-EAGA BEBC project activities include the implementation of feasibility studies on various energy solutions, the development of a Smart Food Security Industrial Park (SFSIP), land partnership programs, and the submission of project phases for coordination and approval.
He said players involved in these development projects include Allyssa Certification Sdn Bhd, representing the private sector and BIMP-EAGA Business Council Malaysia, Sabah, and Solamax Sdn Bhd in partnership with their technical and investment partners.
The BIMP-EAGA region, consisting of Sabah (Malaysia), Palawan and Zamboanga (Philippines), Sulawesi and Kalimantan (Indonesia), and Brunei, is strategically located at the central heart of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), he added.
“The countries within this region are exploring ways to tap into renewable energy sources, strengthen food security, and attract more international and national investors to collaborate with technical teams.”
The realisation of the railway connectivity and the KudatPalawan sea connectivity projects will undoubtedly contribute to the economic growth and development of the BIMP-EAGA region, fostering closer ties between the countries involved, Raymond stressed.