KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) will write to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to appeal on the abolishment of the cabotage policy.
“If time permits, we will send a delegation to pursue this matter at the federal level for the sake of the business community and the people in Sabah.”
Gan said the cabotage policy was implemented 30 years ago when the population in Sabah was low while human capital, port facilities and hard infrastructures in the state were lagging far behind.
“But it is a completely different story now. Sabah’s population has increased to a few million.
“Our professionals and talent pool have grown; our port facilities and hard infrastructures have also improved.”
Gan pointed out that the cabotage policy only benefited a handful of shipping companies at the expense of the people and businesses in Sabah.
“Sabahans pay RM1.30 for a same item that cost RM1 in West Malaysia; there is at least 30 per cent difference in price.”
Gan said the price of goods and cost of living are costlier in Sabah compared to our West Malaysian counterparts due to the cabotage policy.
“The federal government should abolish this policy for the sake of the business community and people in Sabah,” he said.
Gan brought this issue up at the 68th Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (ACCCIM) annual general meeting (AGM) here last Saturday.
On a lighter note, Gan said the ACCCIM AGM, 60th anniversary of SUCCC and the launching of City Point Complex organized by SUCCC last week was success.
He thanked the state government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman for his support and allocation of RM200,000 to SUCCC, as well as to the entrepreneurs, philanthropists and the public who had contributed towards the event.
Gan said the event also provided an opportunity for West Malaysians to get to know our state, in particular how supportive the state government is towards the local Chinese community by providing allocations and lands to Chinese schools and temples.
“The West Malaysian delegates also told us that they noticed Sabahan Chinese could dine and yum cha (have tea) with the bumiputras and Kadazans, a rare scenario in the peninsular.
“This shows that Sabah is the epitome of the 1Malaysia spirit.”