Labuan: Labuan Liberty Port must put in place a facilitating environment to attract shipping lines and to enable local companies and port users to prosper, said Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.He said the relevant agencies including the port operator, Labuan Liberty Port Management Sdn Bhd, need to develop the sector in a cohesive and strategic way in order to create a conducive environment for port users."I was approached by port users who raised a number of complaints and that made me agree to visit the port here today to see for myself the port facilities and the cargo handling.
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"There is truth in their complaints and some areas need improvement in the interest of port users wanting to carry out transshipment or barter trading," he said at a press conference after visiting Labuan Liberty Port here Monday. He said the port operator or the relevant parties must strive to ensure the port is better equipped.
"We want to move as quickly as possible. If we don't grab this opportunity (to strive for performance), we are worried it might go somewhere else."The government always supports any port player in any sort of business dealing especially transshipment and barter trading that could help boost local economies, as the island's over-dependence on the oil and gas sector is slowing down," he said.
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He also urged the Labuan Customs Department to look into extending the port's operating hours.Tengku Adnan said the proposed establishment of a port authority in Labuan is still being studied by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and his ministry.
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"The MOT is aware of the port situation and it should know what to do and what's best for the island. I will be talking to them (ministry officials)," he said.Tengku Adnan also called on government agencies to be effective and efficient in their service to the people and the business community."We in government must facilitate, not frustrate," he said.
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He said plans are in the pipeline to turn Labuan into a premier tourist destination with the collaboration of tour agents from Brunei, Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia and China."Labuan has the potential but lacks marketing and promotion. The tourism tagline of 'Labuan, the Pearl of Borneo and the Place Where Business and Leisure Meet' must be promoted," he added.
