KOTA KINABALU: The proposed ferry service connecting Kudat and Palawan in the Philippines will create more employment opportunities for people in both regions.
Sabah Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang said he had contacted Palawan government in the Philippines to get confirmation on having the ferry service.
“One of my visions is to make Kudat an entry point in the north of Sabah for Palawan under the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area,” he said in a statement yesterday.
“The ferry service will change the town at the end of the road or the tip of Borneo into a route for daily import and export activities.
“It will definitely stimulate economic development and create more employment and entrepreneurship in Kudat.”
Teo, who is also Tanjong Kapor assemblyman, said it took him years of planning and effort for the proposal and much discussions with Palawan government. He also received an allocation from the Economic Planning Unit for the construction of the RM8 million ramp at Kudat jetty.
There were also various meetings held to solve technical issues and gain support from government departments and agencies.
“The Sabah government has agreed to the ferry service, subject to existing laws and regulations.
“Unfortunately, the other side only has a domestic licence when it is compulsory to own an international licence for this sector.
“I have contacted the Palawan government to check on its commitment towards this goal. I am confident it can propose a ferry service with an international licence.
“The ferry service will be a reality soon,” he said.