Sabah urgently needs a modern transit system

 

The scenic west coast of Sabah, stretching from the Lawas border through Sipitang, Beaufort, Papar, the Kota Kinabalu airport, the KK city centre, the Sepanggar Bay port, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, and up to Kudat, is possibly the nicest coastal stretch in all of Malaysia.

It covers a critical 200km corridor that is in dire need of a reliable and efficient transit system.

This vital region of Sabah, has a high population density, a major commercial city in KK, the administrative capital, an international airport, a seaport and institutions like Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

The current road network is insufficient to support the region’s economic growth.

Traffic congestion, delays and inefficiencies plague the existing system, making a robust transit network essential to drive Sabah’s development forward.

Overburdened corridor

This high-demand corridor, which serves as a backbone for passenger and cargo movement, is currently dependent on outdated and unsustainable modes of public transport – such as minibuses, stage buses and taxis – even for long journeys.

These vehicles share the same congested roads, with private cars and commercial traffic, leading to inefficiencies and environmental concerns.

The need for a modern, dedicated transit line along this route cannot be overstated.

At present, Sabah’s only rail infrastructure is the antiquated meter-gauge railway running from Tanjung Aru (south of Kota Kinabalu) to Papar and Beaufort, eventually terminating in Tenom.

While the picturesque stretch along the Padas River is iconic and Tenom is renowned for its coffee, this 134km single-track rail, built in 1905, and renovated in the 1990s, is grossly inadequate for the region’s current and future needs.

Missed opportunity for development

Most pathetically, the section of the railway connecting Tanjung Aru to the Kota Kinabalu city centre and the KK port is no longer in use.

This abandoned section represents a lost opportunity, as it could have been refurbished and repurposed to serve as a commuter rail for daily passengers.

Similarly, despite the growth and development in northern KK—including through the relocation of the container port to Sepanggar Bay and the development of UMS—the rail line to the north has not been expanded.

A forward-thinking approach would involve extending the rail line northwards to connect Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Kudat.

Kudat, located at the northernmost tip of Borneo, is now fast becoming a staging ferry point to get to Puerto Princessa (Palawan), an upcoming new touristy discovery in southern Philippines.

These areas are not only population hubs but also hold significant potential for agriculture, fisheries and eco-tourism.

Strategic southward expansion

Beaufort, to the south, should serve as a critical transit hub, with a rail network extending to Sipitang.

This town is home to the Sipitang Oil & Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP), a major industrial development that demands reliable transport infrastructure for workers and cargo.

Sabah’s oil and gas production is supposed to land here in Sipitang, where oil refinery, gas processing and gas-powered power plants should be built. This is the place where a railway connection is most needed.

Additionally, linking Sabah’s rail system to Lawas in Sarawak would integrate the broader Borneo region, opening up new economic and social opportunities by connecting a wider population base.

The way forward

Sabah must prioritise the development of a modern transit system, including commuter rail and expanded freight lines, to ensure long-term sustainability and economic growth.

This system could significantly reduce road congestion, cut travel times and boost connectivity between rural and urban areas, thereby reducing transport cost in the long term.

It would also enhance Sabah’s logistics capabilities, especially along its west coast, which serves as a vital economic corridor.

Eventually, further lines could be added to serve KK-Keningau-Tawau, as well as KK-Kundasang-Sandakan.

Investing in such infrastructure is not merely an option—it is a necessity for Sabah to achieve its full potential as another economic powerhouse in East Malaysia.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year . - FMT

The author can be reached at: rosli@mdsconsultancy.com

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.