KUCHING: Team Dynamic Kuching (TDK) team leader Eric Tay yesterday proposed the establishment of free trade zones at appropriate locations on Sarawak’s coast.
He pointed out that the state possessed strategic geographical locations facing the South China Sea.
“Manufacturers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China will be attracted to invest and set up factories in the free trade zones and thus increase employment opportunities for our people and cultivate tech talent among our young generation,” he said.
He applauded the state government’s endeavour to set up trade and tourism offices in Indonesia and China in the near future after establishing Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos) last year.
“This reflects the state government’s ongoing efforts to explore the global market, boost trade and attract more tourists. It is vital for Sarawak to be forward-looking in order to be competitive and relevant in the global economy,” he said.
Tay emphasised that trade should be strengthened with neighbouring West Kalimantan, pointing out that apart from their large population, their consumption power had risen as well.
“However, due to tariff restriction by the Indonesian government, the once-popular bilateral trade checkpoint at Tebedu has stalled in recent years,” he said.
Therefore, he hoped that the Sarawak government would give priority to the establishment of a trade and tourism office in Pontianak, and in cooperation with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, to negotiate with Indonesia a trade agreement which is mutually beneficial to both sides.
“This will be extremely advantageous, especially to manufacturers and traders from Sarawak.”
In response to Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian’s recent remark that Sarawak would soon attain annual revenue of RM20 billion, Tay said this was gratifying news.
“On top of that, we deserve more,” the TDK team leader said, referring to a claim by the Sarawak government against Petronas over the company’s unpaid State Sales Tax (SST) amounting to RM1.3 billion.
“That was for the first half of last year and if we take into account the second half as well, it might total up to RM2.6 billion, even excluding interests,” he said.
Meanwhile, he urged Petronas not to adopt more delay tactics in repaying what it owed, particularly to Sarawakians.
Tay also appealed to MPs from Sarawak, especially those from Pakatan Harapan (PH), to support Sarawak in this matter.
