Labuan Corporation to continue sustainable devt agenda
LABUAN: The Labuan Corporation will continue with its sustainable development agenda for Labuan through its long-term strategic development plan.
In line with its 37 years of establishment as a Federal Territory since 1984, sustainable development for Labuan is now the focus of the agency under the Federal Territories Ministry.
Labuan Corporation chief executive officer Dr Fary Akmal Osman in a special interview in conjunction with the Federal Territory (FT) Day which will be celebrated on February 1, said Labuan had begun experiencing physical development since the early years of its establishment as a federal territory.
“This was proven by the construction of the International Ferry Terminal to accommodate travellers from Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, as well as the construction of the International Sea Sports Complex to facilitate the organising of Labuan International Sea Challenge.
“So as the construction of the International Lawn Bowl Arena which had helped in identifying new talents to represent Labuan at the national and international sports meets,” he said.
Fary said Labuan's strategic development plan would continue even at a much slower pace due to the Covid19 situation, and among the projects to be implemented this year is the first step to make Labuan a smart city through the construction of siren/smart pole for immediate sharing of information relating to weather, natural disaster and others.
“The project will be implemented with the cooperation from the Malaysian Meteorological Department at 13 locations across Labuan, including at the Labuan Corporation tower in the city,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fary said the Kina Benua Mangrove Forest eco-tourism upgrading project will also be implemented with an allocation of RM1.5 million from the Tourism and Culture Ministry to build a wooden bridge to enable tourists to explore the forest.
Apart from that, he said the project to build the infrastructure and facilities for visitors at two unexplored destinations in Pulau Batu LaraiLarai and Pulau Piasau-Piasau is also in the planning stage.
This year's FT Day celebrations will be filled with the special prayer programme “Wilayah Persekutuan Bermunajat” which to be held simultaneously and virtually after the Maghrib prayers today (January 30) at all mosques and surau in the three federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
With the theme Federal Territory, Caring Territory, Labuan had also received an allocation of RM100,000 to implement the food basket distribution programme in conjunction with the FT Day to replace the annual community feast, he said.
Other activities lined up for the celebrations are the Fly the FT Flag campaign, FT Digital Lighting and Exhibition Programme and a CSR event involving the frontliners and the public.
Labuan residents are also encouraged to join in the celebrations in their own creative way, including by sharing their photos and videos on social media using the hashtag #Wilayah PersekutuanWilayahPrihatin and #kibarbenderaWP.