Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg believes that it is time to abolish the Malaysian Cabotage Policy, which allows only vessels registered domestically to transport goods from one port to another within the country.

“We propose to the federal government to evaluate the cabotage policy that emphasises on bringing materials that we import to go through Klang Port before coming to Sarawak.

“In the past, maybe it was acceptable because there was lack of volume but now, we have established international trade.

“So it is time to abolish cabotage so that ships from overseas can come straight to Sarawak. In the past, we did not have Bintulu Port and our ports were not so suitable, but now there are containerisation facilities,” he said in a live interview on RTM’s TV1 at Auditorium P Ramlee here on Monday night.

Abang Johari pointed out that abolition of the cabotage policy could lessen the prices of goods for Sarawakians.

“If materials are cheap, cost of production is cheap, and then prices will be more affordable. This is what should be happening now for us,” he said, adding that it could also ease development plans for basic infrastructure in the state as construction materials could come direct to Sarawak instead of going through Klang Port.

He also noted the need to use the latest logistics, including plans to further develop the ‘food baskets’ of the state. Citing Bukit Sadok Agropolitan Area as an example, the chief minister said building an airstrip for air-freight services by small planes would mean that goods can be transported to ports or airports faster for export and possibly cheaper than conventional methods.

During the hour-long show, which was held in conjunction with his 100th day as chief minister, Abang Johari also spoke of his current big plan to turn Sarawak into becoming a digital economy.

He acknowledged that going digital would involve a lot of challenges and that some people would be bound to misuse the infrastructure provided.

“To enter a new territory, there are always risks. We need to do cost analysis to evaluate between the pros and cons. There are people who will misuse, but we have to be prepared, and look at how to manage the risks, and one way is through cyber security.

“As such, we see the need to have a body to regulate and manage the segments within the digital economy, which is why we need to set up Sarawak Multimedia Authority. I hope to table this in the November DUN (State  Legislative Assembly) sitting,” he said.

In addition, Abang Johari spoke about why Sarawak needed its own development bank in order to move the economy forward, as well as the importance of the state’s acquisition of Bakun HEP Dam from the federal government – among the things that he had achieved within 100 days.

The programme was moderated by Sayed Munawar Sayed Mohd Mustar and was an interagency collaboration between Communications and Multimedia Ministry and the state government. It was also an initiative by RTM to get the audience closer to the chief minister and understand his policies and aspirations for the people of Sarawak.

Also present in the auditorium were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Sarawak DUN Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, as well as Sarawak cabinet ministers and assistant ministers.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Antonia Chiam

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