CONTAINER SURCHARGE MAKES TAWAU GOODS COSTLIER

Container surcharge makes Tawau goods costlier

TAWAU Dec 10, 2011: Surcharge imposed on containers at the Tawau Port will be brought to the attention of the Government towards bringing down the prices of goods in the district, said Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan.

He said he will bring the matter up to the government after Tawau Chinese Chamber of Commerce (TCCC) pointed out that goods shipped in containers to Tawau have become costlier due to the surcharge.

During a meeting yesterday, TCCC president Datuk Yap Yiw Sin told Tawfiq that the surcharge is only imposed on containers here.

A surcharge of RM150 is imposed on a 20-foot container and RM300 on a 40-foot container, he said, adding that this has made goods sold in Tawau costing more.

On other matters raised during the meeting, Tawfiq said he supports the chamber’s request for non-governmental organisations, including the chamber, to be represented in the Tawau Municipal Council.

Yap said the chamber can help give its views on how to improve basic facilities such as electricity, water and roads.

Tawfiq said electricity supply is being addressed by the government, such as the 3,000 kilowatt gas plant to be built in Lahad Datu.

He said the government is also taking action to improve water supply and will build a RM200 million dam at Gudang 4.

As for roads, he said a dual carriageway from Tawau to Semporna is being planned for next year.

Tawfiq said he considers TCCC as a partner that contributes towards the district economy and development.

He said the chamber’s role is not only in the economy but also other facilities which the chamber has contributed considerably.

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Push to make Sabah a logistics hub

Sabah is aiming for a logistics hub status and should now seriously pursue and move this agenda to the forefront, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman.

Noting that there is a lucrative consumer market of 60 million people in the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines–East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), he said Sabah has what it takes, including political stability and agriculture resources, to elevate itself to a logistics hub status.