Teo (center) receiving a token of appreciation from Lim (second left) with Gan (second right)
KOTA KINABALU: The Cabotage Policy in Sabah should be adjusted to match the income level of Sabahans, said Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah, the President of the Sabah Chinese Chambers of Commerce.
“Everyone in Sabah, including all political parties and the non-governmental organizations (NGO), agree that the Cabotage Policy here is a burden to the people of Sabah and it should be looked into and adjusted to suit our income,” he said during the opening of 68th Annual General Meeting of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) at the Shangrila Tanjung Aru Hotel, here, yesterday.
Gan said the Cabotage Policy had resulted in the increase in costs of business and living of the people of Sabah, and it affects the foreign invester interest considering the increase in business costs here.
“Our products’ prices are not competitive in the market resulting in less business opportunities with other countries. Sabah’s goods prices are also 30% higher than prices in Peninsular Malaysia,” he added.
Gan said that the Cabotage Policy was designed to protect the shipping industry here.
They could not sacrifice the people of Sabah only to benefit a small group of people, he said.
“It is not fair to Sabahans and I hope the Government will consider canceling or adjusting the Cabotage Policy here,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Gan also said that the Goods and Service Tax (GST) which would be implemented next year is a good policy and that it will lead Malaysia to become a nation with more stable income.
“It is implemented by over 80 countries in the world and I believe that it will be beneficial to all, including Sabah. However, when Singapore first implemented GST, it started from 3% and adjusted the value gradually from that point, whereas in Malaysia, we are introduced it at 6% immediately,” he explained.
Gan said Malaysia should be given more time to adjust to the new tax system and that most of the people do not have full understanding of GST yet.
“People are confused on which items will be charged tax and which will not. The introduction of a new tax system should be done gradually and given adjustment period to adapt to,” he explained.
Gan stated that Sabahans would feel the impact of GST more than any other states because the people of Sabah have higher living cost than other states.
On the kidnapping incidents at the East Coast of Sabah, Gan said that the Government should put the Defence Ministry of Malaysia to handle the case directly, without any middle party.
“This is not a case of Sabah’s security matter but it has become a concern for the whole country. I hope the Federal Government will consider allocating more security forces in the East Coast of Sabah,” he added.
Gan also took the opportunity to express his hope that the Government would continue to give allocation for the Non-Muslim bodies and Chinese Education in Sabah and he hoped that the amount of allocation would be studied and adjusted according to needs from time to time.
Meanwhile, President of ACCCIM, Datuk Lim Kok Cheong revealed that the ACCCIM and overseas chamber of commerce had established a good relationship, and as of today, they had signed 52 Memoranda of Understanding and Economic Cooperation Agreement with overseas chamber of commerce and economic organisations.
“During the period under review, ACCCIM has received more than 30 visiting overseas delegations, organised four trade and investment missions abroad, and successfully co-organised two international EXPO in Phnom Penh and Yangon,” Lim added.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Guest of Honour, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman, who was represented by Minister of Special Tasks, Datuk Teo Chee Kang.