KOTA KINABALU: The state government must show its commitment towards developing Labuan by investing more on the island if it wants to turn it into a district, says Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
Its Armada protem chief for Labuan, Walther Philip Michael, said several measures are needed to gain the full confidence of the people of Labuan, at present under the Federal Territories together with Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
He suggested that more investments be made on the island, and expanding the roles of Sabah government agencies, developing Sabah Foundation’s property assets and appointing representatives from Labuan in the state assembly.
The state government, he added, must show the people of Labuan that it would be worthwhile to return under its administration.
He was speaking at a political discussion and breaking of fast ceremony with Labuan Bersatu division leaders at a golf club on the island on Friday.
Walther commended the recent statement by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor that the people of Labuan have the right to decide whether they want to be part of Sabah again or remain as a federal territory.
Hajiji said this during the state assembly meeting in March, in response to elected assemblyman Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee’s suggestion that Sabah ask the Federal Government to return Labuan to the state.
“Labuan feels comfortable under the Federal Territories, so Sabah needs to be committed as the islanders have enjoyed various privileges as a federal territory,” Walther said.
He said these privileges will be lost if Putrajaya relinquishes Labuan’s status as a federal territory and returns it to Sabah to be governed by a municipal council administration.
According to Walther, the capacity of a municipal council is much smaller than the current Labuan Corporation, which is administered by a chief executive officer who is assisted by deputies and directors of various departments.
The significant impact, he noted, is that the status of other public departments will also go down, such as the Education Department director becoming district education officer, and the Public Works Department director as district engineer.
“There is no doubt that the geographical landscape of Labuan under the Federal Territories has seen the upgrade of infrastructure facilities, like the 100% sealed roads, and even small roads connected to the front doors of houses,” he said.
Labuan was once a fully duty-free island but now, only certain items such as chocolates and alcohol are cheaper than on mainland Sabah.