MINDET Monitors Impact of Global Conflicts on Consumers and Supply Chains in Sabah

14 March 2025

KOTA BELUD: The Sabah Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET) is monitoring the impact of global conflicts on goods supply chain systems and their implications for consumers in Sabah.

Deputy Chief Minister III and Sabah Minister of Industrial, Entrepreneurship and Transport, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said he has requested relevant agencies to prepare more detailed reports on the effects of conflicts occurring in several parts of the world on Sabah.

According to him, the report is important to provide a clearer picture of the impact on the state as well as on end consumers in Sabah.

“I have asked the agencies involved to prepare a report that provides a more detailed overview of the impact on Sabah and also on end consumers in Sabah, so that this matter can be brought to the Cabinet or discussed at a higher level regarding possible interventions or follow-up actions that the government can implement,” he said.

He said this when met at a breaking of fast event with mosque and surau committees from across the Kadamaian State Constituency (DUN), held at the compound of Kampung Tambulion Mosque here yesterday.

Ewon said the matter was discussed during the ministry’s post-Cabinet meeting which he chaired last Wednesday, attended by state government agencies as well as several federal agencies under the ministry’s portfolio.

“Among the matters discussed during the meeting was the impact of ongoing conflicts in several parts of the world on the global supply chain system and its implications for the supply of goods in Sabah.

He said developments in these conflicts have indeed had an impact, including increases in oil prices which in turn lead to higher logistics costs.

“When oil prices increase, logistics costs will also rise, whether involving sea or air transport, and this affects the goods supply chain,” he said.

He also explained that disruptions to international trade routes could affect the supply of goods to Sabah.

According to him, the situation could cause delays in the delivery of goods to the state and also affect the export process for certain products.

“Trade routes may also be affected and certain goods being brought into Sabah may experience delays in arrival or delays in being exported due to security factors or disruptions along those routes,” he said.

In this regard, he said the ministry will continue to monitor current developments to ensure that appropriate measures can be taken to reduce the impact on consumers in Sabah.