SIPITANG, SABAH June 13, 2026 – Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited Kota Kinabalu and Sipitang today to inspect and officially launch the Sabah Southern MADANI Link (SSML) electricity transmission project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening Sabah’s power grid.
The project involves the construction of a 330-kilometre, 275-kilovolt (kV) electricity transmission line from Sipitang to Tawau. It is designed to enhance power supply stability, improve energy security, and support the integration of renewable energy sources across the state.
Speaking at the launch ceremony held at Dewan Lundayeh, Anwar emphasised that the true measure of a project’s success goes beyond investment figures or economic growth. “The real success lies in how much the people, especially those in rural and inland areas, benefit from better infrastructure and development opportunities,” he said.
He added that the project aligns with the Malaysia MADANI vision of balanced and inclusive development, ensuring that progress reaches Sabah’s interior regions that have long awaited improved facilities.
The Sabah Southern MADANI Link is positioned as a key component of Malaysia’s broader energy strategy. It will facilitate greater participation in the ASEAN Energy Grid, positioning Malaysia as a strategic regional energy hub. Construction works at the Sipitang site are scheduled to begin in July 2026.
During the visit, Anwar also approved an immediate special allocation of RM250,000 for infrastructure development, including support for local schools in Sipitang.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the project would be completed on schedule and serve as a catalyst for more inclusive growth, narrowing the urban-rural divide and delivering affordable, sustainable prosperity to the people of Sabah and Malaysia.
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