LABUAN: Parti Warisan President Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said there is no need for the island to be returned to Sabah four decades after it became a Federal Territory in 1984.
“Warisan is not interested in old arguments simply to score political points. The disappointment expressed by some here and in Sabah calling for its return is due to the economic boom not being equally shared,” he said.
“We must remember prior to the status change Labuan had considerable economic potential due to the Sabah Government investing substantially.
“This was evidenced by the Sabah Gas Industries (SGI), the gas grid, methanol plants, Asian Supply Base (ASB), Sabah Shipyard which built ocean-going vessels and other industries taking advantages of the free port and strategic location for the oil and gas industry.
“As a strong foundation has been laid, it is for the new administrators and as a federal responsibility to enhance the economic gains,” the former Chief Minister said.
According to him, the latest Department of Statistics Malysia (DOSM) figures show that Labuan’s economy was worth about RM 8.7 billion yearly with services accounting for more than 8O per cent of the GDP.
“The figures do not tell whether the distribution of wealth was reaching all equally or there was imbalance.”He said if Labuan is important as a financial centre as well as an oil and gas hub then locals must also have the opportunities not only at lower levels but represented in management and professional and participate in the economic activities meaningfully.
He said Labuan’s boom must be translated into tangible benefits with better jobs, higher incomes and strong businesses accompanied by infrastructure development.
“These measures will reflect the true picture of Labuan.”On another matter, Shafie said if Penang could have two bridges and another under discussion, it is reasonable for the Labuan-Menumbok Bridge to be built.
He said he was made to understand that the proposal had not been shelved and could become a realty finally next month, brightening the outlook of Labuan and Sabah with new opportunities.
“To ask for one connecting Labuan to the mainland will spur economic gains,” he said. The estimated cost of the project was around RM6 billion years ago.
Shafie said the funding should come from Federal Government.
“There must also be return investments to unlock the economic potential of Labuan,” he said.
He said connectivity between Labuan-Sabah has been always Labuan’s limitation.
“However the bridge alone cannot revive without stronger economic activities as this could result in more spending.”He said the bridge should be accompanied by an economic plan to woo investors, create good jobs, business opportunities and boost tourism.
The bridge was recommended under the Labuan Development Plan (1997-2015) and an initial study at a cost RMRM5 million by consortium of universities gave the go ahead. After that there had been more studies to update costing more money.
Over the past three years, at least two Requests for Proposal (RFP) exercises were conducted, but no favourable bids were received, causing the project to be shelved.
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