Ahad, Jun 27, 2010

ECONOMIC DIVIDE BETWEEN EAST MALAYSIA AND WEST MALAYSIA CAN BE NARROWED IF CABOTAGE POLICY ABOLISHED

Cabotage Policy is no good: FSM

KOTA KINABALU: The Federation of Sabah Manufacturers (FSM) is again calling for the total liberalisation of the Cabotage Policy.

FSM president, Datuk Wong Khen Thau told reporters at a press conference held at Wisma FSM yesterday that a logistic study conducted by the Industrial Development Ministry has found that the policy does contribute to the high prices of goods in Sabah.

It has also raised the cost of doing business in the State.

The State Government has proposed for the policy to be abolished.

“We hope the Federal Government under the Ministry of Transport will consider full liberalisation from the Cabotage Policy,” he said.

He added that the economic divide between East Malaysia, namely Sabah and West Malaysia would be narrowed if the policy is abolished.

Wong also said that Sabah could be promoted as a hub port for countries in the Far East.

“I feel we can play a part. About 60 to 70 per cent of the country’s imports are from China, Japan and the Asean growth region. These places are closer to Sabah than anywhere else, so Sabah has the potential to become a hub for the region,” he said.

At the same time, Wong also commented on the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST).

“We believe it is a good policy, but its implementation should not be done immediately,” he said.

Before the GST is implemented, the country’s administration should look into the ‘one country one price’ because it will not be fair for Malaysians in Sabah to pay more than 20 per cent for the prices of goods as compared to what consumers in Peninsular Malaysia are paying.

“The people in Sabah are also earning less than those working in Peninsular Malaysia, yet we are paying more,” he said.

On the New Economic Model (NEM) aims to turn Malaysia into a country with high income nation, Wong said that Sabahans are earning an average US$3,000 to US$4,000 per annum.

Those in Peninsular Malaysia are earning between US$7,000 and US$8,000 per annum.

“We need to catch up by the year 2020 and at least raise the income earned by Sabahans in Sabah to US$15,000 per annum,” he said.

He added that employers in Sabah would like their employees to gain a decent income but in order to achieve that, the business environment here must be conducive.

“The cost of doing business in Sabah must be looked into, so that it could at least be competitive with the national level, otherwise it will be tough for us to reach the 2020 goal,” he said.

Towards this end, the Federal Government can come up with subsidies to upgrade the infrastructure and provide special packages for SMIs (Small & Medium Industries) and SMEs (Small & Medium Enterprises) in Sabah.

On labour issues, Wong reminded that foreign labours are still crucial in some sectors of Sabah’s economy.

“No matter how much you try, the locals will not be keen on jobs that are dangerous, dirty and difficult such as those offered at plantations, constructions or cleaning industries,” he said.

He added that if the locals were keen on taking up such jobs, there would be no unemployment in Sabah.

“But this problem is not unique to Sabah. Some jobs are just shunned by the locals, especially in a society that is more affluent,” he said.

He also urged the government to introduce a standard levy for foreign workers.

“We recommend RM360 for the levy charge for all,” he said.

As for the introduction of a minimum salary for all employees, Wong said that employers were not against that.

However, the minimum wage should be reflected or linked to the workers’ productivity.

“There is no point providing high salary if they can’t produce,” he said.

Meanwhile, FSM will be submitting a memorandum containing all the contents above to the Federal Government by the end of next month.

“We will give a copy to the State Government,” he said.

23 ulasan:

  1. government should give serious attention on these statement made by FSM president in order to change Sabah to be a developed state..

    BalasPadam
  2. I think what Datuk said is right. Don't let those lazy people get through you. They don't deserve it.

    BalasPadam
  3. memang betul susah untuk mencari pekerja tempatan bekerja di plantation. actually siapa yang menyebabkan keadaan plantation bahaya dan keadaan environment tidak kondusif untuk pekerja tempatan? bukankah kerana terlalu ramai pekerja asing yang bekerja di plantation yang menyebabkan terlalu banyak kes-kes jenayah tersebut?

    BalasPadam
  4. saya setuju bahawa perlaksanaan GST di Sabah perlu dikaji semula kerana mengambilkira faktor kedudukan geografi negeri ini

    BalasPadam
  5. There's really no point to spend so much money on people that can do things.

    BalasPadam
  6. Saya harap kerajaan kaan beri perhatian sewajranya terhadap hal ni. Appaun saya yaki setiap perkara yang diputuskan kerajaan adalah yg terbaik utk rakyat :)

    BalasPadam
  7. Laziness has been a habit for some. This has got to stop and start being productive. No point at paying them if they don't perform.

    BalasPadam
  8. government should make the decision for the this case.

    BalasPadam
  9. I agree with the statement made by Datuk Wong. He has strong points there. The government should take serious note on his statement. I believe it will assists Sabah to developed well and to catch up with other states by 2020.

    BalasPadam
  10. Ya, saya setuju dengan pemansuhan polisi cabatage ini. Ia tidak membawa kebaikan kepada ekonomi Sabah.

    BalasPadam
  11. I must say YES. Cabotage policy should be ripped off.

    BalasPadam
  12. Jurang antara Semenanjung serta Sabah dan Sarawak harus didekatkan. Sabah terumatanya.amat memerlukan banyak dana untuk meningkatkan sumber ekonomi.

    BalasPadam
  13. i think the govt should consider on what Datuk Wong said..this can be benefit the people also the economy...

    BalasPadam
  14. Even tourists are complaining about that.

    BalasPadam
  15. The cabotage policy is not doing any good for Sabah. I hope it can be abolished.

    BalasPadam
  16. Tanpa Cabotage policy ini, harga barang di Sabah dan WM boleh diseragamkan.

    BalasPadam
  17. Cabotage policy will cause more harm than good.

    BalasPadam
  18. Sengsara suda kami terpaksa menanggung kos barang yang tinggi.

    BalasPadam
  19. GST is another burden for Sabahans.

    BalasPadam
  20. Lebih baik jika polisi ini dimansuhkan.

    BalasPadam
  21. The cabotage policy benefits no one. Especially not the Sabahans. I'm all for the abolishing of the cabotage policy.

    BalasPadam
  22. It is true, the cabotage is no good.

    BalasPadam
  23. I can wait to see it abolished.

    BalasPadam