MP denies Labuan is a failure

Labuan: Member of Parliament Datuk Rozman Isli said the observation by DAP leader Lim Kit Siang that Labuan is a failure after being made a Federal Territory in 1984 is a wrong reading from someone who is not a resident and thereby unfamiliar with the local developments."Before Labuan became a Federal Territory 32 years ago, former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Mohd Salleh brought the 'first wave' of development to the island with the establishment of industries.

"When the island was ceded on 1984, the second wave of development commenced which brought about the transformation of the island. The island's profile was raised as an International Businesses and Financial Centre (IBFC) as well as a regional logistic hub for Oil and Gas in upstream activities," he said.

He said under Federal rule Labuan became a major supplier of methanol and a contributor to the national economy, more than 2,000 low and medium cost houses were built and delivered to the local buyers, new roads were built and existing one upgraded to three lanes.

Other infrastructures include the Labuan International airport, Labuan International Ferry Terminal more ro-ro vessels connections with Sabah, new hospital and schools.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year.

On the education front UMS Labuan International Campus was established, Matriculation College, Industrial Training Institute.

Rozman said these developments inspired the private sector to invest in housing and commercial properties and this sparked another new boom. The transformation of Labuan in the last 30 years is clearly seen by everyone but surprisingly it missed Lim's attention."

Rozman added it was unfair for Lim to say that Labuan today was not even a"little Kangar" which neither has a sea port nor an International Airport. He said Penang's development was also largely due to the good governance and infrastructure laid by the BN government when it rule Penang.

He said the present DAP government in Penang was merely trying to improve what had been provided "while Labuan started from a different position."

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

Rozman also quoted that Labuan GDP per capita of Labuan at 56k compared to the national level of 36k while the GDP growth rate between 2010 to 2015 was 6 percent compared to national level of 5 percent.

On a final note Rozman said Labuan was now moving into the third wave of Labuan "The Labuan Development Blueprint covering 2030 will further transform the island, the print is being prepared by FT Ministry, EPU, LC and other agencies. - Sohan Das

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00