Datuk Ewon Benedick launches First Scheduled Waste Management Facility in Sipitang

13 December 2025

SIPITANG: Datuk Ewon Benedick, the Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industry, Entrepreneur and Transport of Sabah, officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for Sabah's first Scheduled Waste Management Facility at the E-CPNCERN (Borneo) project site in Sipitang today.

The ceremony marks a significant milestone in the state’s industrial development, with the new facility poised to support the rapid growth of the local industrial sector.

This state-of-the-art facility is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainable and safe management of industrial waste in Sabah, addressing one of the region’s most pressing environmental needs.

In his speech, Datuk Ewon expressed his appreciation to E-Concern (Borneo) Sdn. Bhd. for their decision to invest in the SOGIP (Sabah Oil and Gas Industrial Park), which he described as one of the key hubs for the state's industrial growth.

He also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing Sabah’s investment ecosystem through the Sabah Maju Jaya initiative and the Sabah First agenda.

This focus is driven by three main objectives: improving investor confidence through clear policies, sufficient infrastructure, and more efficient agency coordination; empowering local entrepreneurs to participate in major investors' supply chains, creating more inclusive economic benefits; and strengthening the logistics and transport ecosystem by enhancing port capacities, industrial facilities, and supporting utilities.

Ewon highlighted that these efforts aim to create more jobs, business opportunities, and increase the income of the people.

Referring to the impressive investment performance in the state, Ewon pointed to data from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), which showed that Sabah’s manufacturing sector had attracted investments totalling RM24.98 billion between September 2020 and September 2025.

Of this amount, RM19.55 billion was foreign direct investment (FDI), while RM5.43 billion came from domestic direct investment (DDI). These investments are expected to create more than 8,000 new job opportunities, reflecting the growing confidence of investors in the state's economic potential.

The Sabah Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP) continues to emerge as a major catalyst for industrial development, with significant investments from companies such as Esteel Enterprise Sabah, PETRONAS, and E-Concern (Borneo).

The new Scheduled Waste Management Facility is an important step in ensuring that the rapid industrialisation of Sabah is matched with responsible environmental management.

Ewon explained that the facility would help reduce the state's reliance on external waste management services, thereby lowering logistics costs, speeding up waste management processes, and minimising transportation risks.

He also stressed that the facility would ensure compliance with national environmental standards, enhance Sabah’s reputation as an environmentally responsible state, and contribute to sustainable industrial growth. The project is expected to create approximately 270 jobs, with priority given to local Sabahans.

“The facility will not only provide environmental benefits but will also attract new investments to the state, supporting the continued growth of key industrial parks such as SOGIP, KKIP (Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park), and POIC (Port of International Concern),” he added.

Ewon acknowledged the important role played by various government agencies in the development of the facility. These include the Department of Environment (DOE), the Sabah Department of Environmental Protection (JPAS), SOGDC, MIDA, local authorities, and the Public Works Department (JKR). He urged continued collaboration to ensure the project is completed efficiently and meets all safety and environmental standards.

“Such close cooperation between agencies reflects the government’s ability to manage high-impact investments for the benefit of the people and the industry,” he said.

Ewon later congratulated E-Concern (Borneo) for their commitment to investing in Sabah and assured that the state government would continue to create an investment-friendly, conducive, and competitive environment to fulfil Sabah’s vision of becoming a progressive, prosperous, and sustainable state..