LABUAN: Political parties from Sabah operating here must work together to achieve the shared goal of realising the vision for Labuan that was hoped for when the island was handed over to become a Federal Territory in 1984.
Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the current situation in Labuan is far from the original expectations.
“In fact, Labuan, once a duty-free island, no longer enjoys the same duty-free status as it once did.
“This concern is based on fact. Even former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh, who was the architect behind Labuan’s handover as a Federal Territory, has acknowledged that his original objective for Labuan has failed,” he said Dr Jeffrey when launching the Star Labuan Division.
Jeffrey emphasised that since 1984, the hope was for Labuan to be developed economically, creating ample job opportunities and increasing income levels for its people.
“Back then in 1984, the entire Borneo region hoped Labuan would become a catalyst for development in Sabah and Sarawak,” he added.
Jeffrey, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I, noted that the changes in Labuan have strayed far from the original 1984 aspirations. Instead, the culture and traditions of some Labuan residents — who were once part of Sabah — have been “Malay-ised.”
“Today, some Labuan residents feel sidelined in the Federal Territory’s administration. They want to be involved in policy-making and implementation,” he said.
According to Jeffrey, the concerns being raised are not out of anger or resentment but simply calls for positive changes that would make Labuan a source of pride for all.
He added that this is precisely why Star established its division in Labuan. Through cooperation with fellow component parties under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, the aim is for Labuan’s politics to one day be led and managed by Sabah-based parties.
“This issue has also been raised in Parliament. I myself have repeatedly called for the restoration of Labuan’s duty-free status, but unfortunately, our pleas have yet to be heard,” he said.
Some 500 people attended the event. Also present were Star Secretary-General Senator Datuk Edward Linggu, Labuan Star Coordinator Datuk Kapitan Stephen Teo, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Labuan Division Chief Datuk Peter Mak and Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) Deputy Division Chief Dr Harun Pudin.
