SANDAKAN – Whether cabotage policy is in place is not the issue as supply and demand is the real problem faced in Sabah’s ports, said Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong.
The transport minister said that Putrajaya understands the grievances of Sabahans as foreign shipments are avoiding docking in Sabah’s ports but blamed the situation on the pandemic.
“A lot of people think that this has to do with the cabotage policy, the government is very pragmatic and we will see the requests by Sabahans.
“However, the problem is due to the pandemic – we face the problem of shortage of vessels and goods. It is not only a problem faced in Sabah but also the main port in Klang Valley,” he said at a press conference when launching the new lengthened Sandakan Airport’s runway today.
The Vibes has reported that prices of goods in the state have increased further, seeing that foreign vessels are not making any pitstops in Sabah.
Many claimed that these items are more expensive now since the cabotage was implemented.
Local shippers also think that the cabotage policy will allow Sabah to set a ceiling price for the goods, thus avoiding overpriced items caused by the need to pay a third-party shipping agency.
As such, Wee said that the ministry has a task force that will encourage vessels to stop in Sabah’s ports.
“We need to encourage the vessels to come here. However, we must also deal with the supply and demand problem,” he said, adding that Sabah should also have supplies for the ships to carry. – The Vibes, June 6, 2022
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