Labuan: The Barisan Nasional Government has fulfilled promises made to Labuan except for the bridge connecting the island to Menumbok on the Sabah Mainland. What was promised was only a detailed study on the project to ensure its implementation would not cause a financial burden.Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Dato Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, who said this during the karnival rakyat, added that though a distance away Labuan was never marginlised by Federal leaders.
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The island was viewed as an eastern jewel," he said.He noted the importance of the Labuan-Menumbok ro-ro connection and had approved an additional operator on the route and under the recent budget the ferry fare was reduced by 50pc for passengers and commercial vehicles. The purpose of this was to reduce the prices of goods.
Speaking of other promises, Raja Nong said the island asked for more specialists and this was increased by 2 to 7 to serve the 90,000 population. The first Secondary Religious School (Sekolah Menengah Agama) took the first in-take of students last January. Parents do not have to send their children to Sabah or Sarawak for secondary religious studies.
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On prices of goods, Raja Nong said two more Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia shops would be open next year and the Government had allocated RM100 million to standardise prices of goods in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. To improve the wellbeing of locals, the Ministry opened up well-being centres at Kampong Sungai Baduan and for the urban poor in the town area.
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Raja Nong said the Government wanted Labuan to be a leading oil and gas hub, the holding of the Oil and Gas Exhibition and exploiting the potential of Pulau Daat were indications of Government's efforts. Efforts were also focused in further enhancing the International Business and Financial Centre status. Raja Nong said the BN Government was unlike the opposition which made promises that could not be fulfilled. He singled out Nurul Izzah Anwar by saying Nurul promised between RM1,000 to RM1,500 for single mothers and the aged but after winning Lembah Pantai forget the promises.
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