Kota Kinabalu, Sabah – A four-kilometre queue of container haulage lorries outside Sepanggar Bay Container Port highlights ongoing operational delays that are impacting the logistics industry and local businesses.

According to Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SUCCC) President Datuk Michael Lui Yen, haulage companies have increased their transportation charges by between RM200 and RM350 per container, depending on the final delivery destination.

He explained that haulage lorries previously handled four to five containers per day. However, due to long waiting times at the port, many operators can now only transport one or two containers daily, even with extended working hours.

Although shipping lines temporarily held back from imposing congestion surcharges following appeals from the state government, concerns remain that these charges may be reinstated if port conditions do not improve, especially after the recent extended holiday period.

Some businesses are already bearing additional costs to expedite the release of refrigerated containers carrying perishable goods, such as food products.

Datuk Michael expressed concern that continued inefficiencies at the port, including equipment shortages and operational bottlenecks, are driving up logistics costs. These rising expenses are ultimately being passed on to businesses and consumers through higher retail prices.

He urged relevant stakeholders, including the Sabah Port Authority, Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd, and DPW Sabah Sdn Bhd, to take immediate action to improve port efficiency and help reduce the financial burden currently faced by businesses and consumers.

Reference : Daily Express (2026, May 21) | Written by Cahayapack Editorial Team

EDISI BAHASA MELAYU

Barisan 4km di Pelabuhan Sepanggar Petanda Krisis Logistik yang Semakin Meruncing

3 JUN 2026

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah – Kesesakan lori pengangkut kontena sepanjang kira-kira empat kilometer di luar Sepanggar Bay Container Port menunjukkan berlakunya kelewatan operasi yang memberi kesan besar kepada industri logistik dan perniagaan tempatan.

Menurut Presiden Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SUCCC), Datuk Michael Lui Yen, syarikat haulage kini terpaksa menaikkan caj pengangkutan antara RM200 hingga RM350 bagi setiap kontena, bergantung kepada lokasi penghantaran akhir.

Beliau menjelaskan bahawa sebelum ini, sebuah lori mampu mengangkut empat hingga lima kontena sehari. Namun kini, kebanyakan lori hanya mampu mengendalikan satu hingga dua kontena sehari akibat masa menunggu yang terlalu lama di pelabuhan.

Walaupun syarikat perkapalan sebelum ini bersetuju menangguhkan pelaksanaan caj kesesakan selepas campur tangan kerajaan negeri, terdapat kebimbangan bahawa caj tersebut akan diperkenalkan semula sekiranya keadaan tidak menunjukkan peningkatan, terutama selepas musim cuti panjang yang lalu.

Selain itu, sebahagian perniagaan masih terpaksa menanggung caj tambahan bagi mempercepatkan pelepasan kontena berisi barangan mudah rosak seperti makanan sejuk beku.

Datuk Michael turut menyuarakan kebimbangan bahawa kelewatan operasi di pelabuhan yang berpunca daripada kekurangan peralatan dan ketidakcekapan proses kerja akan terus meningkatkan kos logistik. Keadaan ini akhirnya memberi kesan kepada peniaga dan pengguna melalui kenaikan harga barang di pasaran.

Beliau menyeru pihak berkaitan termasuk Sabah Port Authority, Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd dan DPW Sabah Sdn Bhd untuk mengambil tindakan segera bagi meningkatkan kecekapan operasi pelabuhan serta membantu mengurangkan beban kos yang kini ditanggung oleh sektor perniagaan dan pengguna.

Rujukan : Daily Express (2026, May 21) | Ditulis Oleh : Pasukan Editorial Cahayapack