Surcharge: Government finding solution
Published on: Tuesday, July 09, 2024
By: Larry Ralon
Hajiji posing with other Gagasan Rakyat leaders and participants of the programme.
Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is preparing a solution to the Kota Kinabalu Port Congestion Surcharge issue, assured Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
“The State Cabinet has already discussed the matter and asked the Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister and the Minister responsible for port affairs to find a solution.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The shipping companies want to impose the surcharge, not the Government. The Government is looking for a way to resolve this issue,” said Hajiji, who is also the President of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), to reporters after officiating the closing of the Information Programme – Current Issues, organised by the Gagasan Rakyat Information Bureau, at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), here, Monday.
He was asked to comment on the announcement last week by shipping companies that a Kota Kinabalu Port Congestion Surcharge of RM500 to RM1,000 will be imposed on all container types from July 16, 2024, on the grounds that the continuous congestion at the Kota Kinabalu Port has caused serious delays in ship turnaround time, affecting the shipping schedule, and thus causing a significant increase in operating costs.
Our report on July 5
In a statement last Saturday, Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said the State Government aims to resolve the port congestion issue without adding unnecessary burden to consumers and industrial players, especially given the recent boost in export performance from foreign investments and local industries.
“We are committed to working with all relevant parties to ensure a swift and effective resolution,” he said, responding to concerns over congestion issues at Sepanggar Port and potential surcharge increases.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I brought the issue to the State Cabinet’s attention on Wednesday. The Cabinet mandated the State Secretary to lead efforts in addressing the situation promptly,” he said, adding a meeting was held with stakeholders, including the port operator.
He noted the potential negative impact on Sabah’s industrial sector and overall economy if the issue persists.
ADVERTISEMENT
Phoong said the increased surcharges could hurt local industries and potentially cause inflation for Sabahans.
Our report on July 7
Meanwhile, Hajiji said the Information Programme meant for the party’s all-level information heads aimed at streamlining the party machinery, given that the term of the State Government will end in October next year.
“We want to ensure that everything is in order, especially the party machinery, in the face of the elections that will be held next year,” he said.
He also asked all the party’s information heads to explain to the people the initiatives that the Government has implemented until today.
“Many of our initiatives and successes have not yet been communicated to the people at the grassroots level, so some do not know about it.
“It is the responsibility of all the information heads to explain to the grassroots about the Government’s achievements, what has been done, what assistance has been given to the people and the poor and so on.
“Besides that, we also need to inform the people on the value of the investments that have come in since we ruled, the thousands of job opportunities created for Sabahans and so on. This is important.
“Secondly, they (information heads) also need to fend off slanders and lies spread on social media. That needs to be addressed as well, otherwise, the people will believe it, even if it is not correct.
“This is the job of the information heads at all levels,” he said.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
