KUALA LUMPUR – Tempers flared in the Dewan Rakyat today when Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong (Ayer Hitam-BN) and Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-PH) traded barbs over the former’s reversal of the cabotage exemption policy.
Things came to a head when Wee challenged former finance minister Lim to a debate in a separate forum. The latter accepted.
“Previously, you said I’m not qualified to be MCA president. Now, I challenge you to an hour-long debate on any matter,” said Wee.
Lim replied: “I accept the minister’s challenge. I will show up no matter the time or place.”
Earlier, Lim asked about the Apricot, Facebook and Google projects that he alleged Malaysia lost due to Wee’s decision to cancel the previous administration’s cabotage exemption.
Wee replied that boats involved in undersea cable repairs are still allowed to enter Malaysian waters.
He cited the MIST project bagged by Arus Restu Sdn Bhd as proof of how the current policy does not prevent the entry of foreign investment in the digital industry.
Malaysia’s involvement in the Apricot project had always been subject to other factors, including the offers and conditions by tech giants like Facebook and Google, he said.
“It is not fair to place blame only on our cabotage policy when Malaysia is not involved in such programmes,” he said, adding that the Transport Ministry will work on improving and upgrading its online application system for domestic shipping licences.
Unimpressed by the response, Lim accused Wee of being in a “state of denial” over how the cabotage policy has chased away foreign investors who would have otherwise chosen Malaysia.
He also referenced Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chairman Datuk Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff, who last month condemned Wee’s policy as being the cause of overseas investors forgoing the country.
In response, Wee highlighted the distinction between installing and fixing undersea cables, saying the former is subject to cabotage policies established in 1980.
“The MDEC chairman is wrong because the current cabotage policy is used only in the context of fixing submarine cables, and not their installation.” – The Vibes, September 30, 2021
