Labuan MP Rozman Isli wants Sabah to include the duty-free island in the state economic development plan to boost the city’s potential economic and investment growth.

In making this call, he said Labuan’s economy at present is driven mainly by the private sector, and if the development is included in the blueprint, it would be able to provide a new dimension to balance growth similar to Menumbok, Kuala Penyu, and Beaufort.

“As a city centre, Labuan has ports, airport, and we have planned for a better communication link between Labuan and the three areas. Now, we have increased the ferry services and moving towards bridge construction.

“We have conveyed our aspiration to the Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal and he has given his assurance that Labuan’s economy and investment are in Sabah’s development plan,” Rozman (photo) told reporters after paying a courtesy visit on Mohd Shafie in Kota Kinabalu today.

The two-hour meeting was also attended by seven Labuan business councils and they submitted proposals on the development framework of Menumbok-Kuala Penyu, attracting investors to Sabah and Labuan and state government allocations to the Labuan parliamentary constituency.

On the development framework, Rozman said the second ramp at the Menumbok-Labuan Ferry Terminal jetty had to be built due to congestion and delayed ferries, especially during festive seasons and weekends.

He added that half of the 100,000 population in Labuan are Sabahans who often use the ferry service to return to their hometowns, and it is estimated that about 1,000 ferry trips are recorded annually.

Among others, Rozman said he also requested to replace the Labuan-Menumbok speedboat to express boat, which can carry up to 40 passengers at any one time, to meet the safety and comfort specifications.

“We have also requested for the Pan Borneo Highway to include Beaufort and Menumbok to provide a more efficient road infrastructure network to Labuan in the future.

“In addition, we are also asking the Sabah government to promote Labuan as an investment, trade and strategic business destination to potential investors,” he said.

- Reuters