LABUAN: Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) candidate here, Dr Ramli Tahir, called on the authorities to solve the overcrowding problem at the Labuan International Ferry Terminal.He said the problem emerged after travellers between Labuan and Menumbok in mainland Sabah were subjected to immigration checks from Nov 1.
“The problem is affecting hundreds of travellers daily. Such travel frustrations could undermine the local tourism industry, as visitors would be discouraged to come to the island.
“This does not augur well for Labuan, apart from not projecting a good image. There must be enough counters and staff, as well as an efficient system in place, to ease the crowd,” he added.
Dr Ramli said the number of travellers at the terminal would increase with many voters, including new young voters, travelling during the polling period.
He noted that the situation also reflected that there had been no proper study of the facilities before the new exit procedures were implemented.
Under the new procedures, travellers exiting the island need to produce their MyKad, passport or birth certificate for checking and verification before they can board the boat or ferry.
Daily there are many speedboats and ferries departing here for Menumbok and Limbang/Lawas in Sarawak.
The new regulations were implemented at the request of the State Government, which was concerned over Labuan being an entry loophole into Sabah.
The purpose of the procedure was to improve border control.
