SANDAKAN: Several measures have been identified to facilitate barter trade between Sabah, the Philippines and Indonesia to ensure the system proceeds smoothly, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
He said among these measures were the conditions agreed by the three parties including the types of products for trading and type of vessels needed, which required a comprehensive scrutiny to avoid the vessels from carrying cargoes that they are not supposed to.
“It’s not that we don’t want the economy…we do but currently, we want to organise it carefully with a research approach as the barter system is not made for the short term.
“This is one of the initiatives to increase Sandakan’s economy and I am confident of producing more entrepreneurs to progress as traders,” he said when met after a meet-the-people programme in Pulau Berhala here, yesterday.
The Chief Minister said Pulau Berhala was one of the areas in Sabah that needed attention and the state government was striving to provide assistance especially basic needs for the people there.
He said the island not only needed attention from the state government but also from the federal government in terms of power supply, schools and other requirements.
“We must remember them, not just fulfilling the responsibility as the government or elected representatives, but must play a role to assist the people wherever they are, no matter what race, tribe…the important thing is that they are the people of Sabah who need guidance and assistance,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mohd Shafie said there was no directive to block any party from coming to Sabah.
He was commenting on the visit by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to Sandakan this Friday. – Bernama
