Kudat Port ramp not white elephant – Teo
KOTA KINABALU: The RM8 million ramp built at Kudat Port for the ferry service between Kudat and Palawan is not a white elephant project, said Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Seri Panglima Teo Chee Kang.
He believed that the Palawan government would propose a ferry operator with international licence and the service would become a reality soon.
Teo, who is also Tanjong Kapor assemblyman, said one of his visions for Kudat was to develop the district into a northern gateway of Sabah to Palawan, Philippines under the Brunei Dar us sal am-Indonesia Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA) initiative.
“With the ferry service linking Kudat and Palawan, Kudat is set to transform from a township at the tip of Borneo to a gateway for visitors as well as the import and export of goods.
“The service will certainly stimulate the local economy and create a wealth of opportunities for workers and entrepreneurs in Kudat,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Teo said he had been working hard for years to plan, secure allocation from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) under the Prime Minister’s Department to construct the ramp at Kudat Port, liaise and discuss with the Palawan government, call and chair numerous meetings to resolve technical issues as well as obtaining support from various government departments and agencies for the ferry service.
“Alas, the State Government has approved the ferry service subject to the existing shipping law and regulations.
“Unfortunately, the operator could only produce the domestic licence, whereas an international licence is required for the route as stipulated by the international shipping convention.
“As such, the Malaysian Transport Ministery could not exempt the operator from the requirement.”
Teo added the authority in Palawan had also requested for the ferry terminal to be moved from Brooks’ Point to Buliluyan, which entailed a time-consuming process to build a new jetty.
Nonetheless, Teo said he had contacted the Palawan government who confirmed their commitment to realize the ferry service.
“I am confident they will propose a ferry with international licence, and therefore the service will become a reality soon.
“Believe me, the RM8 million ramp at Kudat Port is not a white elephant project,” he stressed.