PR should have included Cabotage Policy in manifesto – KCCI

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KOTA KINABALU: Pakatan Rakyat should have included the promise to review or abolish the Cabotage Policy in its manifesto.

According to Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) vice president Carl Mosoom, the policy has adversely affected the lives of people in Sabah since its implementation 33 years ago, raising the prices of goods and services.

“It has not benefited the people and the local shipping industry. As a matter of fact, the effect has been negative,” he said when asked about the manifesto.

The Cabotage Policy imposed on Sabah has been blamed for the high cost of living and soaring prices of goods and services in the state.

“I feel that the policy should be reviewed or even abolished and that an open market policy should be adopted. The theory is that this will reduce the high cost of living in Sabah,” he said.

At the same time, Carl also said he would not think there was anything special about the recent Pakatan Rakyat manifesto.

“It is not going to create any real changes…but I guess the only pertinent difference would be on the promise of the 20 per cent oil royalty for Sabah. However, one wonders how they are going to get the 15 per cent of the royalty,” he said.

He added that he would not think the matter was thought of thoroughly by the opposition party.

“Of course, it will be good for Sabah to have that extra oil royalty but at the national level, it is going to have adverse effect on the national GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and deficit. Inflation will likely take place.”

Carl also touched on the promise of a super highway linking Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Kudat.

“It will be a difficult project to implement given the geographical topography of both states,” he said.