KOTA KINABALU: The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) has proposed the Federal government and the State government to jointly set up a ‘special committee’ to better study issues concerning Labuan development, including whether it should be ‘returned’ to Sabah.
“In regards to resolving a series of issues affecting Labuan, whatever approaches to be taken must be in the best interest of the people of Sabah and Labuan,” stressed its President, Tan Sri T.C Goh.
Goh who is also President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) and Federation of Sabah and Labuan Hokkien Associations (FSLHA) said this while welcoming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks that returning Labuan to Sabah was not an issue. He told the reporters this after addressing over 8,000 federal and state civil servants here on Tuesday (Feb 28).
Goh was especially supportive of the Prime Minister’s statement that the federal government would work with Sabah to revive Labuan’s status as the international offshore financial centre (IOFC).
He noted that, since Labuan became a Federal Territory in 1984, its development, infrastructure development included, has been sluggish, especially in recent years. This was especially true when compared to the development of the Federal Territories in Peninsular Malaysia.
He went on to note that in recent years, some Sabahans and political leaders included, had expressed their wish calling for Labuan to be returned to Sabah for better development.
He thus opined that, the Federal government and the State government should strengthen their cooperation including setting up a ‘special committee’ consisting of the relevant Federal, Sabah and Labuan government agencies, to seriously look into and to effectively tackle the various issues affecting Labuan.
On the Prime Minister’s statement that the proposed Labuan-Sabah bridge is not an immediate priority, citing the challenging financial position of the nation currently, Goh said such an explanation is understandable and acceptable. He nonetheless hoped the Federal Government could revive the proposed project, as soon as possible, when the nation’s financial position is improved.
He was convinced that if implemented, the proposed Labuan bridge project will significantly help boost the economy of Sabah and Labuan.
He also welcomed the Prime Minister’s comments on delayed projects including Pan Borneo Highway, that they were being monitored closely by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof.
Goh said, as compared to the progress of Sarawak’s portion of Pan Borneo Highway, Sabah still needed lots of catching up.
“Be it the proposed Sabah-Labuan Bridge project or the Pan Borneo Highway, both are equally important for Sabah, and it is the hope of the people that it (Pan Borneo Highway) can be completed soonest, in order to help propel economic development in Sabah,” he concluded.-pr/BNN
