Easing policy in Stages

Daily Express 09 August, 2008
Kota Kinabalu: The Cabotage Policy that is blamed by many as the cause for the difference in goods prices between East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia will be liberalised progressively, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.
"We (Ministry of Transport) are re-visiting and reviewing the existing Cabotage policy and at the same time looking at the proposal from the Malaysian Logistics Council as well as input from the State Government," he said.
"We are in the midst of liberalising the policy, not at one go but progressively," he said when asked to elaborate on his speech after witnessing the swearing-in of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) committee for the 2008-2010 term at Kian Kok Middle School here, Friday.
Nonetheless, Ong reminded logistic players and the public that the Cabotage policy is not the sole factor for the price differences. "Naturally it is only one of the factors because others like freight charges and inland transportation also play a role," he said.
The Cabotage policy issue was raised in previous Parliament sittings by Sabah MPs who had called for it to be revised so that goods in Sabah could be cheaper.
Meanwhile, the Minister said new air routes were being established involving East Malaysian cities including Kota Kinabalu, which are expected to be operational by end of this year.
According to him, studies have been made following the Asean Route Map Liberalisation of Aviation that is expected to be endorsed this October at the Asean Transport Ministers Meeting.
The first step would involve the capital cities in Asean, adding it must be noted that not all the cities are ready for it, though. "So far, only Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Thailand appeared to be ready."
It would also involve low cost carriers but he declined to name them just yet. On another note, Ong said a body akin to the Hospital Board of Visitors might be set up by end of this year to facilitate people lodging reports against the Road Transport Department (RTD) and Puspakom.
"I have been receiving public complaints on the services of Puspakom and counter services of RTD and have been keeping an eye on this," he said, adding that besides receiving information through emails, text messages and the Ministry's portal "pandu cermat", he was also in contact with NGOs.
Referring to the dialogue organised by FCAS after the installation lunch, he said such dialogues with NGOs are like a "proactive outreach" to him.
"If deemed fit, hopefully by end of this year we will set up the board nationwide because people as taxpayers should also have a say in the context of the RTD and Puspakom services," he said.
To a question, he said reports from the public need not be confined to corruption but could be on anything.
Earlier, Ong witnessed Datuk Sari Nuar who was returned as FCAS President and other committee members taking their oath of office.
Sari in his speech reiterated FCAS' stand on the illegal foreign workers and also suggested that the Government seriously look into allowing the employers to settle the high levy on foreign workers in instalments.
He said that by breaking the payment into instalments like for 12 months it would be able to reduce the burden of employers who are presently required to pay nearly RM2,000 for each foreign worker.