KOTA KINABALU: The state government has proposed the establishment of a sea link between Kudat and Palawan in the Philippines to revitalise the Sabah town's economy.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the matter had been discussed with federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
"By establishing ferry services, barter trading in Kudat can be revived," he said at the Chief Minister's Department post-cabinet press conference in Menara Kinabalu.
Such barter trades would help to revive Kudat's sluggish economy and the opening of a port would also act as a berthing point for ships sailing from southern Mindanao to Labuan.
"Presently, sea vessels carrying goods from southern Mindanao go directly to Labuan. If we open up a Kudat port, we could tap into the Southern Mindanao-Labuan shipping route."
The port would have all the necessary facilities, including Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security checkpoints.
Hajiji said he has also discussed the matter with the state police commissioner to look into security aspects for deliberations at the State Security Council.
On another matter, Hajiji said all state government officers must fully understand the meaning of the "Sabah First" policy.
"Sabah First means we must prioritise Sabah's interests in all our endeavours.
"Foreign and non-Sabah investors looking to set up business ventures here must have local Sabah interests holding a 30 per cent stake in the venture," he said.