Improve container handling operation, SBCP urged

KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu Container Lorry Operators Association (PPLKK) has called for an immediate improvement and efficiency in the container handling operation at the Sepanggar Bay Container Port (SBCP).

The association’s secretary Justin Chong yesterday lamented that the daily handling operations at the port’s container yard had been unsatisfactory over the years.

He said in the past, the PPLKK had brought up the issue in several dialouge sessions with the relevent parties but no concrete measures were taken during the administration of previous state government.

“Since two months ago, the level of handling operation efficiency at the port container terminal has become even worse,” he said, adding “it has affected not only the livelihood of the association’s members but also their employees, especially the trailer drivers.”

In this regard, he said the PPLKK urged the current State government, particularly the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, to ensure that the management of the SBCP treats the issue seriously.

“The port management should implement concrete and lasting measures to improve the handling capacity and performance at the port’s container yard.

“If we are serious in developing the SBCP into an international port, then the basic efficiency level and practice must be achieved first,” said Justin.

Towards this end, he said trailer drivers had been forced to wait in a long queue for hours for their turn to come for the loading process at the container yard.

“A waiting delay of 15 minutes to two hours is quite normal and acceptable to the association and our drivers.

“But now the drivers would have to wait for more than two hours or even the whole day before their turn for the loading process comes.