KUCHING: The Sarawak Transport Ministry (MOTS) and Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), through the Logistics Productivity Nexus (LPN), have launched the Cross-Border Operational Guidebook for Sarawak-Brunei-Sabah Transportation Efficiency, aimed at facilitating smoother and more efficient movement of goods and passengers across Borneo.

The Guidebook was launched by Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin in conjunction with the BIMP-EAGA Land Transport MoUs Review & Stakeholder Workshop, held from Sept 14 to 15 at Pullman Hotel Kuching.

The workshop brings together government agencies, regulators, industry associations and transport operators to review two BIMP-EAGA Land Transport MoUs covering the cross-border movement of commercial buses and coaches and the transit and inter-state transport of goods.

The Guidebook consolidates key cross-border requirements and procedures into a practical reference for transport operators. It is intended to improve regulatory clarity, reduce uncertainty and support more predictable border processes, while providing a basis for further simplification, harmonisation and digitalisation.

Lee said efficient cross-border connectivity was important to Sarawak's economic competitiveness and its integration with neighbouring economies.

"Connectivity is not only about roads and infrastructure. Regulations, permits, documentation and border procedures must also support the efficient movement of goods and people. Through this review, we want to identify what should be retained, improved, simplified and changed," he said.

MPC deputy director-general Dr Mohamad Norjayadi Tamam said improving logistics efficiency was increasingly important as Malaysia sought to sustain its productivity growth.

Malaysia's labour productivity reached RM104,556 per employee in 2025, with growth of 4.0 per cent. Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the country aims to achieve RM122,745 per employee by 2030, supported by a targeted productivity growth of 3.6 per cent.

The logistics sector recorded labour productivity of RM124,646 per employee in 2025, growing 5.0 per cent, while the transportation and storage sector recorded 7.2 per cent productivity growth in the first quarter of 2026, indicating continued positive momentum.

"These gains are encouraging, but productivity must ultimately be experienced by businesses through shorter processing times, lower transaction costs, clearer regulations and more efficient movement of goods.

"This initiative demonstrates how regulatory reform and industry-government collaboration can translate productivity into practical improvements on the ground," said Mohamad Norjayadi.

The workshop will identify regulatory gaps and operational challenges and develop a matrix of proposed amendments, policy and implementation recommendations, and the way forward for the review of the two BIMP-EAGA Land Transport MoUs.

The initiative also supports the Reformasi Kerenah Birokrasi (RKB) agenda and Malaysia Productivity Blueprint 2.0 (MPB 2.0) by addressing regulatory friction and strengthening logistics efficiency, connectivity and regional competitiveness.

Credits: Bernama 2026