LABUAN: The oil and gas (O&G) crew change operations at Asian Supply Base (ASB) Sdn Bhd here are facing delays in meeting the April 1 deadline due to the yet-to-be ready immigration screening system.
Expressing concern, MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman said the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit’s (Mampu) system, installed to facilitate immigration screening, is also not operational.
He hoped authorities in Putrajaya will address the matter promptly, emphasising its impact on security and Labuan’s economy.
During a visit to the temporary crew change operation facilities at Wisma ASB, Suhaili, who is also ASB Chairman, highlighted the urgent need to fully start crew change operations by March, to align with Petronas’ scheduled oil drilling activities in April.
SPONSORED CONTENT Mengalum for world’s first net zero carbon island resort Taiwan’s Sinyi Group is on track to unveil the world’s first unique net zero carbon island resort on Mengalum Island. . Read more He said he would personally meet the Minister of Home Affairs to resolve bureaucratic hurdles and expedite Immigration personnel placement and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Suhaili said he had also written to the Prime Minister, given Labuan’s association with the Prime Minister’s Department.
“Labuan’s economy, under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Department, faces significant implications if the crew change operations are delayed.
“At the same time, I will raise the issue during the upcoming Parliament session on Feb 26,” he said.
He said the delay in the implementation of the crew change operations would have the potential challenges for multinational companies, facing the prospect of sending crews to Kota Kinabalu for Immigration clearance, adversely affecting ASB’s reputation.
Suhaili said ASB, a Labuan-based Sabah Government-linked company (GLC), has allocated RM25 million to build a three-storey O&G crew change terminal.
The project, scheduled for completion in October 2024, aims to facilitate Immigration, Customs and Health Department screenings for Malaysian and international seafarers.
Suhaili said the return of crew change activities to Labuan would significantly benefit the island’s economy, with hundreds of O&G crew members arriving and departing daily once the operations commence.
He said ASB received an exemption order from the Sabah Home Affairs and Research Office (PHEDNP), dated April 22, 2022, authorising approval for O&G crew change documentation clearance from PHEDNP and Sabah Immigration Department.
“The delay in implementing the immigration screening system poses a risk to Labuan’s O&G crew change operations, prompting urgent calls for intervention from relevant authorities,” he said.
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