SAPP staying out of Labuan contest

Sohan Das

LABUAN: SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said his party won't be fielding a candidate for the island's Parliamentary seat in the imminent general election but will support any "winnable" candidate be it from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) or an Independent.

"Though there is no formal committee with PR to strengthen co-operation in Labuan, there existed a friendly relationship between SAPP and PR. In the coming elections it as important that there is a 1 to 1 fight against BN without the opposition splitting votes.

He said the BN had failed to solve the island's problem (including traffic) nor help boost the local economy and left landmark sites like the "Hotel Labuan" in a sorry state since 1997.

"This is because the Member of Parliament acted like a distant manager of Kuala Lumpur, failing to be a voice of the people and the FT Minister having a tunnel vision for failing to understand the importance of the bridge link between here and Menumbok," said Yong.

He said the bridge could serve as a catalyst to the local economy. The convenient link would attract many from the Klias Peninsula, Kuala Penyu, Sipitang and other coast towns this would boost the retail volume of local traders. Many such mainland reqidents may see Labuan as the alternative way of flying to Kuala Lumpur."

 

He said with the business boost caused by the transit population, importers would be able to tap the full potential of the duty-free status and place direct order for goods. 

He also said with the bridge in place the shipping/landing fees now paid to the Marine would be done away.

"The end result would be the cost of living in Labuan would be lowered benefitting everyone here," said Yong.

The bridge was planed under the Labuan Development Plan 1997 but after studies and due to its heavy cost of about RM3 billion the project was not undertaken.

Regarding the cost Yong said Labuan as a FT was not asking for too much when the Federal government spend on other projects elsewhere such a RM100 million air-conditioned bridge from Bukit Bintang to KLCC in Kuala Lumpur.

Apart from the bridge, should opposition comes into rule after the coming general election it would help in reviving the island's once lucrative barter trade with Southern Philippines provided "the economies justified"

Besides Labuan new barter centres would be set-up in Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kudat and the existing ones in Sandakan and Tawau would be upgraded.

On the coming elections Yong claimed there was a strong likelihood of change of government and, if this, happens and Labuan remains under BN it would be under opposition rule. 

He noted that Labuan should not be punished for the choice as even in Kuala Lumpur 11 out of the 12 constituencies were now under opposition but the Federal government continues to pump money.

Daily Express

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Page 11