KUCHING: The exemption of the cabotage policy for shipping activities, particularly in cargo will benefit the people of Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the exemption of the policy has caused some disagreements.
“The cabotage policy was applied for safety reasons because all international ships will berth at Klang Port and from there, smaller ships will distribute their cargo. However, these days, international ships can berth straight in Sarawak and therefore shipment cost will decrease,” Fadilah said at a press conference after the presentation of annual grant ceremony held at Restaurant Michi Spice, Jalan Astana here, yesterday.
He added that with the decrease in shipment cost, prices of goods in Sabah and Sarawak will also decrease for now and in future.
“I do not understand why chairman of the state Democratic Act Party (DAP), Chong Chieng Jen is against the exemption of this policy.
“What’s even funnier is that, Sabah DAP chairman agreed with the exemption, including the shipping industry.
“I sometimes do not understand why we have to politicice everything without double checking all the facts. That is why, we from the Youth Wing of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and Barisan Nasional (BN) will support any policy that will benefit the people,” said Fadilah.
He also hoped that with the exemption of cabotage, which will come into effect on 1 June prices of goods in Sarawak will stabilize. Even if the prices are a bit higher, it won’t be too high it will definitely help to ease the burden of the people.
Fadilah also said that with the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway, transportation cost and time will be much reduced.
“The Pan Borneo Higway has four lanes. Therefore, vehicles could move faster making travelling time much shorter and at the same time prices of goods will be more affordable especially the difference of goods prices in rural and urban areas,” said Fadillah who is also Member of Parliament for Petra Jaya.
Last Sunday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that the cabotage exemption will be implemented for shipping activities in cargo services for all ports in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. However, the policy is not applicable to ships operating between the three states.
