Labuan chambers want reps in advisory body
Published on: Sunday, June 09, 2019
By: Sohan Das
LABUAN: The Indian community here who have been clamouring for representation in the Advisory Council of the Labuan Corporation (LC) since it was established in 2001 but unsuccessful is undaunted and still appealing for a seat.
In earlier years, it asked for the seat through MIC. But as MIC had been dissolved, it was appealing via the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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In a memorandum submitted the Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad by the joint chambers of commerce here, Indian Chamber of Commerce Deputy Chairman Datuk Ramasamy Regasmay, who attended the meeting, said:
“Until now the present Advisory Council has vacancies for two seats as only five of the seven seats have been filled.
“The two seats should be allocated to nominees from local chambers of commerce so that the business community would have a direct voice in the council to highlight business-related issues and have them resolved without delay.”
Ramasamy added that there were three members in the KL City Hall and similarly Labuan should also have 13 members to reflect the equal importance shown to Labuan.
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He also recalled that when the local authority was under the Labuan Municipal Council, there were 16 councillors, including one from the Indian community, but when LC was established this was changed though it was assured by the Government that all would remain the same for Labuan.
Ramasamy further pointed out that by having 13 members in the Labuan Advisory Council, all the chambers as well as NGOs could be represented instead of the council seats now monopolised by political parties.
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The present members of the Advisory Council appointed more than six months ago are Datuk Rozman Isli (Warisan), Simsuddin Sidek (PKR), Dr Ramli Tahir (Amanah), Wong Kwan Kit (DAP) and Noor Halim Zaimi (Warisan).
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