Filipino NGO to prevent barter abuse
Published on: Friday, October 19, 2018
ZAMBOANGA CITY: If there is anyone else who is also very much concerned about the security aspects of the barter trade resumption in Sabah come January 1, it is the Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi Traders Association (Zambasulta), said its President Haji Faizal Salam Jamalul."We do not wish to see irresponsible people spoil the barter trade activities between Sabah, Indonesia and the Philippines in all aspects, especially in matters of security," he said.To the people in these areas, he said the revival of the barter trade activities means poverty alleviation, eventual reduction of escalating prices of commodities, abundance of supplies, economic opportunity to the small traders and revenue for the respective local government units including future peace and order stability amongst others.
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"It is for these very reasons Zambasulta and other related associations and the masses at large unanimously agreed to work in unison with the Sabah government to ensure that all the SOPs will be strictly adhered and complied by all the parties concerned," Faizal stressed.In announcing the revival of the barter trade activities last week, Chief Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal said he weighed security risks before making the decision.He said the State Security Council had studied the matter and was aware of the new security measures that must be taken for barter trading with the Philippines and Indonesia to resume.Jamalul said among the security steps that Filipino traders will have to strictly adhere include the following:
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- Inspection of barter trade vessels (before departure) by Philippine Drugs Enforcement Authority (PDEA), Philippine Anti-Terrorists Task Force, Customs Department, Maritime Authority, Philippine National Police, Immigration Department, Department of Environment and other government agencies.
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- All vessels must obtain departure clearance from the authorities concerned.
- Controlled and subsidised items and smuggled good not allowed to be traded.
- Original and final manifest of cargoes and crews must be submitted to the Malaysian authorities one day before any scheduled barter trade voyage.
- Strictly comply the designated sea routes as agreed by the member countries.
- Barter trade vessels are strictly restricted to ferry passengers (on-crews).
- Vessels must be equipped with the required navigational equipments.
- Payments of all government taxes.
- Closely coordinate with all the relevant authorities both in the Philippines and neighbouring countries.
- Barter traders must be duly registered with the relevant authorities both at home and abroad.
"These are among the measures that all the traders has agreed to respect and comply to ensure smooth implementation of all trading activities," Jamalul stressed.He said Filipino traders and other businessmen are now looking forward to start trading activities in January."We are just awaiting the official announcement from the Philippine Government before all our 100 over barter trade vessels start trading again with Sabah and Sulawesi," he reiterated adding that full support and cooperation will be extended to the Malaysian Government.Meanwhile, Jamalul said rice, cooking oil, flour, sugar, noodles, chicken and other grocery items are some of the goods that Southern Mindanao are clamouring for.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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