SIPITANG, June 13  — The implementation of the Sabah Southern Madani Link (SSML) electricity grid project reflects the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that development and basic infrastructure reach communities in Sabah’s interior.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the project was in line with the Malaysia Madani policy, which emphasises balanced and equitable development rather than concentrating progress solely in major urban centres.

He stressed that development could not have a meaningful impact if basic amenities remained inaccessible to communities in remote areas, particularly in Sabah’s interior.

“That is why I am determined to ensure that development is distributed across all parts of the state, including rural and interior areas.

“This is what distinguishes our approach from that of some other countries, where development is concentrated only in major cities,” he said when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for the SSML project here.

Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.

The SSML project involves the construction of a 275-kilovolt (kV) electricity transmission line linking Sabah’s west and east coasts, and is expected to play a key role in strengthening the state’s power grid and balancing energy distribution.

The project, which commenced on September 17 last year, is scheduled for completion on September 16, 2028 at a cost of RM198 million. As of May 26, overall progress stood at 17 per cent.

Anwar said the project was of great importance, given the sacrifices and dedication of workers on the ground who have had to traverse remote forest areas in southern Sabah to develop the electricity network for the benefit of the people.

“I am touched and pleased to see the transmission lines stretching across the wilderness. Imagine the workers who have to venture deep into the forests and leave their families behind, all to help develop electricity supply for the people of Sabah.

“To all of them, I extend my deepest appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Commenting on criticism from certain quarters in Parliament over the sizeable development allocations for Sabah and Sarawak, the prime minister said the government would continue to defend such spending as part of efforts to narrow the infrastructure development gap in the two states. 

Anwar said many of those criticising development allocations for Sabah and Sarawak had never visited the ground to witness firsthand the challenges faced by local communities, including poor road conditions and issues related to water and electricity supply.

“It is our responsibility to explain this to them and ensure that priority continues to be given to these allocations to guarantee essential amenities for the people and drive industrial growth here,” he said.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said the implementation of the SSML project would also serve as a catalyst for a major transformation of Sabah’s power grid, enabling the state to play a significant role in realising the Asean Power Grid initiative aimed at linking electricity supply systems across South-east Asia.

He said the integration would involve the development of a regional energy interconnection network stretching from Vietnam via subsea cables to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, before being linked with Sarawak’s subsea power network.

“With the enhanced capacity of the Sabah Grid, we will be able to connect electricity supply from Sarawak to Sabah and channel it onward to Kalimantan in Indonesia and subsequently to the southern region,” he said.

Anwar said the development of an integrated power grid would not only improve the reliability of electricity supply in Sabah, but also bring significant benefits to the people through better infrastructure, a more stable energy supply and stronger appeal to investors.

“Who would want to invest if our areas are left in the dark or if the power supply is insufficient to support industry? That is why this international-scale infrastructure is being developed to ensure the state’s economic growth can be accelerated more effectively,” he said. — Bernama