LABUAN: The Transport Ministry has not yet reached a decision regarding the proposed Labuan Integrated Port, intended to replace the over 50-year-old Labuan Liberty Wharf.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said any discussions on the project could only begin after key assessments and plans are finalised.
"At the moment, the ministry cannot provide details on the proposed Labuan Integrated Port at the Rancha-Rancha Industrial Area because the Labuan port master plan has not been completed, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has yet to be conducted, and the overall direction is unclear," he told a press conference after visiting Megah Port Management Sdn Bhd at Labuan Liberty Wharf.
Hasbi said a feasibility study must be conducted before any concrete decisions are made, noting that the Labuan Port Authority (LPA) will play a crucial role in this process.
He said the ministry is factoring in the Labuan Development Blueprint 2030, which allocates around 200 acres of land for the potential port.
However, Hasbi said, the transition of the Labuan Port Authority into a standalone entity, separate from the Bintulu Port Authority, has not yet been finalised.
"The issue of land and ecosystem preparation must be resolved before further discussions on the Labuan Integrated Port can take place," he said.
Despite the delays, Hasbi expressed optimism that once the LPA is officially recognised as a standalone authority, the proposed Labuan Integrated Port will receive the necessary attention for further development.
Meanwhile, Hasbi highlighted the significant role played by the Labuan Port Authority (LPA) in ensuring the safety of the ageing jetty at the Labuan Liberty Wharf for both vessels and cargo operations.
"Safety measures must be undertaken by the LPA to guarantee that the jetty remains secure for port activities… the last major renovation was carried out in the 1980s," he said.
Hasbi said the RM22 million upgrade to the existing Labuan Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Ferry Terminal, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is set to proceed as planned.
"We are awaiting the details of the allocation to be confirmed in the upcoming 2025 Budget, set to be announced in October," he said.–Bernama