DUBS supports ending cabotage policy
KUCHING: Sarawak Bumiput e r a Ch amb e r o f Commerce ( DUBS) president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg supports the abolishment of the cabotage policy, saying that the time has come for the policy to be removed from the state.
He said the state now has enough volume of cargo for shipment for both imports and exports to overseas destinations.
Another reason he mentioned was that the state has good port faci l it ies l ike Bintulu Port, among others, which is a deep sea port and can handle containers.
“The policy ( cabotage policy) has been there for quite some time and a factor that had contributed to the higher costs of goods in the state... back then, the need to transit cargo in Port Klang was there because we (state) did not have enough cargo.
“But now, the situation is di f ferent — we have enough cargo for shipment for both import and export, so it is time that the cabotage pol icy be removed ( from the state)... the times have changed, and we have to change ,” he told reporters at his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Jalan Astana, Petra Jaya, here yesterday.
He added that the double handling (transit and storage) of cargo at Port Klang has resulted in the increased prices of goods in the state.
Abdul Karim, who is also Brooke Dockyard chairman, also said that the cost of living and of doing business is high in the state.
“So obviously, if we can ship direct to our ports, definitely it will save cost,” he said, asserting that the time has come to have direct shipment of goods to the ports in the state and vice versa for exports.
The policy (cabotage policy) has been there for quite some time and a factor that had contributed to the higher costs of goods in the state... back then, the need to transit cargo in Port Klang was there because we (state) did not have enough cargo. But now, the situation is different — we have enough cargo for shipment for both import and export, so it is time that the cabotage policy be removed (from the state)...the times have changed, and we have to change. Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg, Sarawak Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce (DUBS) president
On complaints by shipping companies, Abdul Karim said it was time the companies review their business models to meet the current changes and scenario.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has announced that the 30-year- old policy that has been blamed for the higher cost of living has been abolished for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan effective June 1.
Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sa rawak Uni t ed Pe ople s ’ Party ( SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep and Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang were among those visiting the open house.