KOTA KINABALU – Sabah DAP has called on the state government to allow ports to operate freely during the total lockdown to ensure the supply and distribution of goods are not disrupted.
Its secretary, Chan Foong Hin, said port services are considered essential services, similar to hospitals.
“Just like emergency services and hospitals, ports provide the most essential of services in handling cargo shipments from all over the world.
“They are the doors between Sabah and the outside world, and shipment of essential goods into Sabah from all over the world, and vice versa, should not stop just due to the lockdown.
“There is no reason whatsoever for such ridiculous restriction of operating hours.”
Sabah has imposed a two-week total lockdown from yesterday until June 14 and limited the operation of jetties (6am to 2pm) and ports (6am to 6pm).
A Sabah Ports Authority circular signed by general manager Felix Liangson contained rules restricting port operations in the state, while ports in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone can operate only from 6am to 2pm.
This is despite the National Security Council not restricting port operation hours.
“During my time as Labuan Port Authority chairman, one of the reforms that I introduced was to install a port operator that will operate 24 hours a day to increase efficiency in the loading and unloading of goods, and reduce port congestion,” said the Kota Kinabalu MP. – The Vibes, June 2, 2021
