'Take up Harris suggestions to drive Labuan'
Published on: Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Labuan: The Federal Government should take up some of the suggestions made by former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh to overcome Labuan's economic slowdown and turn it into a vibrant economy, said activist Fauziah Datuk Din."Yes, the Government has now, after two decades in the planning, seen the importance of building a Labuan-Menumbok bridge to spur the economy of the island as well as coastal towns in Sabah and set aside RM14.31 million for a new broader feasibility study on the project."This certainly is welcome news. However, if Harris' offer in 2012 to undertake the project on a joint venture with a China company without any cash payment from the Government except for land reclamation right and usage, we would be having the bridge today," she said.
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"Unfortunately, although Harris' offer had the support of Labuan Corporation and local residents, the offer was not responded. It is this type of decision delays that are affecting Labuan's growth," she added.Fauziah said Harris is no ordinary Malaysian and he was largely responsible for the federalisation of Labuan without any compensation and the understanding that under the federal rule, Labuan would be transformed into a "vibrant and dynamic" island state."Under the circumstances, Harris has every right to express his dismay and make suggestions for the continued prosperity of the island," said Fauziah in reference to Harris' latest comment that tourism and bridge are Labuan's only hope now and other concerns over downsizing of industries on the island.Harris has said that Labuan's only economic future lies in tourism as all the sectors that once drove the island's economy have come to en end while other Federal Government projects to resuscitate them never took off.
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He said, in fact, Labuan can be developed into a world class tourist destination provided the authorities are bold and progressive enough to approve proposals for any tourism development.Fauziah recalled that when the Asian Supply Base (ASB) was set up here while Harris was Sabah Chief Minister, the Federal Government issued only two supply base licences, one for Terengganu and the other for Labuan.
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"These bases served as logistic hub to support the activities of oil and gas players. What is feared is that ASB seems to be downsizing with Petronas relocating much of its operations to Bintulu and bringing along with it vendors and other service suppliers," said Fauziah.Saying it would be a "hammer blow" to Labuan's economy if ASB operations contract here, she said there were fears that the new bases at Muara and Sipitang, Sabah would affect Labuan and the Government should give an assurance since Harris had expressed concern.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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