Over RM40 million in revenue collected by JPDS in 2025

10 January 2026

LABUAN: The Sabah Ports and Harbours Department (JPDS) successfully collected over RM40 million in revenue throughout 2025, an increase compared to more than RM39 million recorded the previous year.

The Deputy Chief Minister III, who also serves as the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport Sabah, Datuk Ewon Benedick, stated that JPDS is one of the new departments and agencies placed under his ministry following the restructuring of the transport portfolio.

He explained that JPDS serves as a regulatory body for water traffic and public jetty development, making it one of the key contributors to the revenue of the Sabah State Government.

“JPDS is responsible for regulating water traffic in port limits, harbours, rivers, coasts and tidal areas. In addition, the department provides and maintains facilities such as Government Piers, Public Jetties, Barter Trade Jetties, as well as Passenger Landing Terminals,” he said.

He made the remarks after visiting JPDS Labuan here the day before yesterday.

During the visit, Ewon and the delegation from the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET) were briefed on the role, current developments, and plans of JPDS throughout Sabah by JPDS Director Maswandie Maimon.

Ewon also commended the existing initiatives and development plans implemented by JPDS to ensure that the best possible services are delivered to customers and stakeholders.

Meanwhile, under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), JPDS is scheduled to undertake 23 projects with an approved allocation of RM4.75 million for 2026.

Planned projects include the construction of navigation aids such as lighthouses and beacons, floating jetties for small vessels, pilot boats, strengthening enforcement through tugboats and patrol vessels, training, the construction of ship traffic monitoring towers and radar systems, ferry terminals, facilities and Barter Trade Jetties, as well as the construction of the JPDS Headquarters Complex in Kimanis and the reconstruction of JPDS staff quarters in Kota Kinabalu.

The briefing was delivered by JPDS Director Maswandie Maimon.

During the working visit, Ewon and his delegation also visited Pandikar Food, a business producing crispy chilli paste based on shrimp and fish.

The entrepreneur behind the business is originally from Tuaran, and his products have now successfully entered the Brunei market.

He wished continued success for the entrepreneur and hoped that the achievement would serve as an inspiration to other business owners.

Next, Ewon visited the QCC Baked outlet in Labuan.

The business began in the SEDCO Complex and previously received support under the Sabah Entrepreneur Transformation Programme.

It has since grown into a franchise business with eight outlets in Sabah, two in Labuan, and five in Peninsular Malaysia.

He expressed pride in the development of Sabah entrepreneurs and hoped that their success would continue and inspire more local business owners.

Also present during the visit were Sabah Deputy Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport Jonnybone J Kurum, MINDET Permanent Secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin, POIC Sabah CEO Datuk Fredian Gan, Director of the Sabah Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR) Siti Nur’Ain Abdullah, and other MINDET officials.