SANDAKAN: The State Government will study the proposal to revive barter trade between Sabah and the southern Philippines.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor acknowledged that his administration has received many proposals on the matter, but said a detailed study must be conducted before it can be implemented.
He said various aspects need to be considered, particularly those related to security and the benefits of such activities to traders and the state’s economy.
“We will study this. Many quarters have proposed this. All aspects will be taken into account, especially on security and its benefits to our economy.
“We will discuss this later at meetings of the National Security Council (MKN) and the State Development Action Council,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after a working visit to several islands housing national security posts in Sandakan waters, here, on Tuesday.
The visit was in conjunction with the Chief Minister’s Security Inspection Programme to the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZONE), which was also attended by Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) Commander Datuk Victor Sanjos.
Also present were State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jafry Arifin, Deputy Minister of Human Resources Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Fairuz Renddan, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun, Assistant Minister of Rural Development Datuk Samad Jamri, Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Sr. Safar Untong, Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Mohd Razali Wahab, Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen.
Hajiji and his delegation began the visit at Pulau Bakungan Kecil, before proceeding to Pulau Selingan and Pulau Langkayan.
Commenting on the visit, the Chief Minister said the programme was aimed at assessing conditions on the islands, which host enforcement personnel from the Sabah Parks (TTS) and security forces, either police or military.
He said the visit also allowed him and his delegation to see first hand the condition of security posts located on the islands around Sandakan waters.
“From this inspection, I could see that the preparedness of all security forces, including facilities at control posts, is in good condition, and the facilities have also been upgraded.
“I have raised this matter with the Prime Minister and many assets have been allocated, although much more is still needed.
“This is very important for our security forces to monitor our waters, especially advanced assets that can detect those who may attempt to enter our country,” he said.
The Chief Minister also expressed confidence in the strength of security in Sabah’s east coast waters in helping to boost economic activities in the area, particularly tourism.
“It has been a long time since any incident was reported in our waters, which certainly encourages tourism on Sabah’s east coast. When the situation is peaceful and security is assured, more tourists are keen to come here and tourism will grow.
“Pulau Sipadan, for instance, is a major attraction as one of the world’s best diving destinations, so we must safeguard security to ensure this tourism asset continues to attract visitors,” he said.
