File photo for illustration purposes
Ministry to reconsider scrapping of Cabotage Policy after one-year trial
KUCHING: The Ministry of Transport will review the scrapping of Cabotage Policy on the local shipping industry after observing its impact for one year.
The decision was made after a discussion on the issue during a courtesy call by a delegation from the State Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transport (MIDT) on Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai at his office in Putrajaya on Friday.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, who is also the Minister of MIDT led the delegation which comprised Datuk Julaihi Narawi (Assistant Minister of Coastal Road) and Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Assistant Minister of Transportation), MIDT permanent secretary Safri Zainuddin and senior officers of the ministry.
The proposed abolishment of the Cabotage Policy had caused much concern in the state’s shipping industry.
Both the state and federal ministries were aware of the negative effects on local shippers if the Cabotage Policy were abolished and are prepared to review the need for total abolishment.
The state and federal ministries have agreed to meet from time to time with other stakeholders to monitor the impact of the scrapping of the policy on the local shipping industry.
On the Automated Enforcement System (AES), which has been implemented in Peninsular Malaysia and in stages, Masing said he agreed with the implementation of the system in the state as it augurs well for safety of motorists and other road users.
He added that the system should be implemented in the state soon but only after an awareness programme to inform the public of its benefits has been carried out.