Govt to set up council to tackle issues on transportation
KOTA KINABALU: A National Transportation Council is being set up to resolve issues related to this key sector, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
He said the consultative body would enable the Government to work even more closely with the various states including drawing specific policies to address transportation problems nationwide.
“In Sabah it is about increasing the efficiency of the Sepanggar port near Kota Kinabalu and improving railway services while in some peninsula states it is a matter of tackling congestion of certain roads,” said Liow, who is also the MCA president.
He said the setting up of the council came during his discussions with Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the state Infrastructure Development Minister.
He said yesterday work was also underway to get the council going including drawing up Cabinet papers and its terms of reference.
Liow said the council to be chaired by him would include his ministry’s secretary-general as well as the directors-general of the various departments overseeing land, sea and air transport.
Also sitting in the council are the various state ministers or exco members overseeing transportation.
“We hope to get the council going and have the first meeting before year end,” Liow said after opening the Sabah MCA meeting.
Earlier, Liow told Sabah MCA delegates he was heartened to see them gearing up for the coming general election.
He said this was in contrast to the opposition in the state that was in a disarray.
Liow said PKR, DAP and PAS each had their own agenda and could not see eye to eye on a common direction or how they could serve the people.
That’s why whatever slogan they use whether its Sabah for Sabahans or something else, is just an excuse to cover their weaknesses, he added.
Liow said MCA also welcomed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s power abuse, corruption and money laundering probe following the arrests of two top Sabah Water Department officials and the seizure of more than RM114mil in cash, jewellery and properties.
“We hope the anti-corruption efforts in the country will be further strengthened in time to come,” he added.
Also present were MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong and vice-president Datuk Chua Tee Yong.