Amanah Labuan draws up political direction

LABUAN: The newly-elected Labuan committee of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) has drawn up its political direction, focusing on the economy, unity and social integration.

Its chief, Chemat Mustapha, said the committee is optimistic of leading the division with trust and to make Labuan’s voice heard at the national level.

At the inaugural press conference of the division at the Amanah Labuan office here yesterday, he said the political direction provides for checks and balances to the government administration for a better and stronger structure of government with no political element and bureaucracy. “We must not tolerate any element of cronyism and nepotism in the government bodies on the island in line with the Amanah slogan of Trustworthy, Progressive, Caring,” he said.

Chemat said the Labuan economy is still heavily dependent on oil and gas and the international financial sectors must continuously be safeguarded and given due attention.

“However, it is not an easy task and cannot be achieved overnight as political will still plays an important role to ensure they are achievable,” he said.

Chemat also said that the division is focusing on the rights of the local entrepreneurs, saying that their business must be unaffected by non-local business operators.

He said the division had also drawn up programmes aimed at fostering good rapport with the people at the village level so that the party can be a platform for any input or feedback on the government and vice versa.

Meanwhile, women’s wing chief Yantei Bakir said the wing was focusing on women empowerment.

It is getting women on the island to be self-reliant and benefit from the resources, assets, income and their own time, as well as manage risk and improve their economic status and well-being, she said. - Bernama