KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has proposed to establish sea linkage between Kudat and Palawan, Philipines to revitalise Kudat’s economy, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
He said the matter was discussed with Federal Transport Minister, Anthony Loke who
later toured Kudat with Kudat MP Datuk Verdon Bahanda.
“By establishing ferry services, barter trading at Kudat could be revived,” he said at the
Chief Minister’s Department post-cabinet meeting at Menara Kinabalu here today.
The barter trade would help to revive Kudat’s sluggish economy, said Hajiji, adding that
the opening of Kudat port may also be a berthing point for ships sailing from southern
Mindanao to Labuan.
“Presently, sea vessels carrying goods from Southern Mindanao go directly Labuan. If
we open up the Kudat port, we could tap into the Southern Mindanao-Labuan shipping
route,” he said.
According to him, the Kudat Port would have all the necessary facilities, especially the
Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security checkpoints.
The Chief Minister said he has also discussed the matter with State Police
Commissioner to look into the security aspect for deliberations at the State Security
Council.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said all State Government officers must fully understand the meaning
of the “Sabah First” policy.
“Sabah First means we must prioritise Sabah’s interests in all our endeavours. Foreign
and non-Sabah investors looking to set up business ventures here must have local
Sabah interest holding a 30 percent stake in the venture,” he said.
Hajiji said the State Cabinet has also approved Kota Kinabalu City Hall’s revised
Sembulan Urban Renewal Scheme.
“We have agreed to allow land owners to stay there once the development is completed
with agreed monetary compensation,” he said.
The Chief Minister also announced that Sabah will host this year’s Malaysia Day celebrations on Sept 16.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew will co-chair the
organising committee with Federal Minister of Communications, Fahmi Fadzil.-pr/BNN
