Yet another triumph for Musa’s quiet diplomacy
Published on: Saturday, May 13, 2017
Text Size:
AS a long-suffering victim of the Cabotage Policy, I have been disappointed, very disappointed and even got angry at times that the Federal Government has allowed a few shipowners to enjoy the privileges and ignored the many pleas from Sabahans for so long.
I have completely lost faith in the many promises of successive Ministers of Transport.
Now that our Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib has announced the abolition of the Cabotage Policy effective 1 June 2017, I am truly and honestly grateful to him.
For reasons best known to himself, the Federal Minister of Transport was defensive of the Cabotage Policy even on the eve of Najib’s announcement. Reading in between the lines, one could sense he was grudgingly in agreement to the decision. His MCA Deputy President Wee’s press statement was also in similar vein.
Both of them also wanted to claim credit at the same time.
Najib also mentioned that he had decided to RIP [rest in peace] the Cabotage Policy after receiving a request from State Government leaders. What has made the pivotal difference must be the recent meeting between PM and Datuk Seri Musa. Musa brought along his Cabinet Ministers with him according to Datuk Teo Chee Kang’s press statement.
Looking at the many years of procrastination of successive Federal Ministers of Transport over the years, PM would not have abolished the policy if Musa had not spoken to him in a decisive manner that would only be possible because of their special relationship.
Once again, the “Musa quiet diplomacy” has worked wonders for Sabah just as it has in the oil and gas PSCs [production sharing contracts] and many other matters.
His “quiet diplomacy” has proven to be the right approach. Unlike many politicians who over-promise and under-deliver. Musa’s style is “no promises, let results do the talking”. Musa’s special relationship with Najib must have tipped the scale in our favour in the abolishment of this policy in the final analysis.
A number of net citizens have made snipe and cynical remarks on Najib’s decision. These are uncalled for.
Whatever has happened in the past is in the past. We can also debate endlessly on what he meant by his announcement. Such debate is academic. Now that the Prime Minister has done away with the Cabotage Policy, we should show gratitude and move on in the economic interest of Sabah.
Moving on does not mean we can relax. We must continue to be vigilant against what the shipowners can or will do next. I don’t expect them to take Najib’s decision lying down as it will not be easy for them to wean themselves from this 3o-plus years “Cabotage Policy Tongkat”. Be ready to fight the next battle from them.
Life has been good for far too long and competition must be quite alien to them.
The fight to scrape this policy has been long and hard [15 years +], especially by Datuk Seri Panglima Wong Khen Thau and his colleagues from Federation of Sabah Industries. On this, I must point out that Wong has received little or no support from the various chambers of commerce and other business NGOs.
They have sent junior staff or no representative to all those meetings that I have attended.
I have never seen a chairman, deputy chairman or even an substantive office bearer.
Neither have they issued press statements as expression of support. Some of them are now quite happy, unashamedly, to claiming credit after Najib’s decision.
They should not do so as they have not contributed in getting Najib to decide to abolish the policy.
It is morally wrong and unconscionable.
A few people have expressed scepticism that prices will go down after Najib’s decision. Nothing is guaranteed in life.
If Cabotage Policy has not been abolished, it will act against our economic interest forever.
Sabahans will have to help themselves to secure the best deal now that the Cabotage Policy has been terminated.
Here are some suggestions.
The best way to prevent future exploitations is for our businessmen to work very closely with the State Government:
[a] To act as the eyes and ears of the State Government in monitoring the behaviour and price movements of shipowners in coming months. Make sure there is no price fixing or collusion – there must be proper competition.
[b] Help to promote other shipping companies to call on Sabah ports, just like foreign airlines coming to KKIA.
[c] Businessmen must do their part to assist the State Government to keep prices down.
They should, in good conscience, pass on the benefits of cheaper shipping cost to consumers.
[d] We should cease to be armchair critique and, as united Sabahans, be proactive to protect and promote our economic interest, failing which, we get exploited again.
Now that Najib has abolished the Cabotage Policy, what can we do with this new and exciting era of being free from this 30 years old bondage?
Plenty of new opportunities will open up for Sabahans. The Sabah private sector, the captains of industry, the business leaders must not wait for the durians to drop. [a] They must shift into proactive mode immediately to come up with ideas, action plans and submit them to Musa for his consideration.
[b] Questions like how we can attract more shipping companies to come to Sabah.
[c] How can we promote more manufacturing and export so that foreign ships coming in will have cargo on their return trips. Likewise, agriculture products.
[c] How can we work with Sarawak to gain economy of scale. It makes a lot of sense for the two states to co-operate in this vital economic area.
[d] How can we establish a marine hub. And many others.
Sabahans must stay alert lest we forget the shipowners still have in its armoury the “BLOCK EXEMPTION AGAINST COMPETITION” given to them by the Federal Government under the Competition Act 2010.
Political and business leaders in Sabah should read and understand this exemption: Please read: http:// www.mycc.gov.my/ sites/default/files/Explanatory-Note-for-Competition-Block-Exemption-for-Vessel-Sharing-Agreements-and-Voluntary-Discussion-Agreements-in-respect-of-Liner-Shipping-Order-2013.pdf
I can remember the facilitator who was a very senior W Malaysian lawyer from the Competition Commission was anything but sympathetic to our pleas against this exemption. Our reasons against this exemption were shot down point blank.
This weapon can be as bad or worse than the Cabotage Policy. Cannot underestimate the shipowners’ next move.
Be on the lookout. Be prepared.
I hope Najib will show he really cares for the people in East Malaysia by not renewing the approval for “BLOCK EXEMPTION AGAINST COMPETITION” which is due to expire in September 2017. This will complete his abolishment of the Cabotage Policy in the true sense and spirit of his announcement in Sandakan.
I like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude, as I am sure most Sabahans will want to join me in this, to PM Najib for abolishing the Cabotage Policy and CM Musa for interceding and resolving this long outstanding thorny issue with the Prime Minister.
ADVERTISEMENT
