LABUAN: The Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Labuan says the “mass exodus” from the island during the on-going Hari Raya festivities is not proof that the proposed Labuan-Menumbok bridge will be a waste of taxpayers’ money.
KCCI Labuan Chairman Paul Ipoh Leokin said while it is undeniable that people were going out from the island, not forgetting those who did so to celebrate the occasion with their loved ones outside Labuan, by merely posting a photograph of a quiet road in town accompanied by quotes from a few parties may not be reflective of the actual situation on the ground.
“Why not go to the outskirts areas like the kampungs where there are many people celebrating the festive season together, joined by relatives and visitors who return to or visit Labuan for the purpose?”
“At the same time, merely stating the number of additional ferry trips is not an objective measurement to justify an ‘exodus’ without taking into account the outflow and inflow of people in order to know the actual outflow,” he said in a statement, Sunday.
He was referring to a Daily Express report.
He said KCCI stands by its conviction that the proposed bridge is both an economic game changer and a social obligation of the government for the people from two sides of the channel who will mutually benefit from the proposed bridge.
“As such, KCCI appreciates the initiative by the Minister in charge of the Federal Territories Zaliha Mustafa in setting up a task force to look into the construction of the proposed bridge, and we believe that the minister is not acting alone or on her own in this matter,” he said.
