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‘Sabah ports can compete with S’pore, Philippines’

Sabah ports have the potential to compete with ports in Singapore and the Philippines with the adoption of right policies, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

“Location wise, we are nearer to China, Japan and Hong Kong and there is also a reduction in box handling cost,” he said during the SuriaGroup Kaamatan Raya luncheon, here, Thursday.

“And more importantly how we monetise our resources.”

Shafie also reiterated the need for infrastructure improvement, including the construction of a railroad connecting ports in Sabah.

“We must position Sepanggar Port as well as the other ports in the State to have ample capacity and ability.

“I have stressed during a meeting with the Federal Government that Sepanggar is a very busy area…there is a university here as well as housing areas and a resort.

“As such, it is important for us to have a well-equipped infrastructure if we want to improve our cargo transportation time to overseas.

“We do not have enough road and that is why we have to build a railway line in all connected areas, including Sepanggar Bay so that it would be easy for us to export our goods.

“With the construction of this railway line, we can reduce traffic congestion and save cost as well as time.”
Citing Kuala Lumpur, he said, Port Klang has a railway line connected to all the existing outlets.

Previously, Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony was reported as saying that the State Government has proposed for a construction of a 175-kilometre rail service from Kota Kinabalu to Kudat.

Peter said the Sabah Railway Department is in the midst of conducting an initial study and preparing tender documents for Terms of Reference (ToR) study which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The State Government, he said, has approved a RM1.5 million allocation under Mid-Term Review of the 11th Malaysia Plan as an initial funds to conduct the ToR study to be commenced next year.

Physical works, based on the study findings, is expected to be initiated in 2021 and to be completed in 2024.

Peter also said the State Government has taken into consideration several options for funding such as Federal grants, soft loans as well as the involvement of the private sector as the project involves a big cost.

Shafie said such infrastructure is much needed to boost the development of the State.

“We do not provide this infrastructure for own good but it is an investment for future generations.

“When we do good things, our children, the generations 50 years to come will benefit from what we had realised now,” he said.
Source: Daily Express

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