Stricter ferry terminal checks
Published on: Sunday, September 11, 2022
By: Bernama
Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (left), right pic by riderchris.com
LABUAN: The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the Immigration Department to enforce stricter control at the two Labuan ferry terminals, especially for non-Sabahan travellers bound for the Sabah mainland.Its Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said an allocation of RM200,000 had been approved for immediate action to be taken such as the setting up of specific checkpoint counters for non-Sabahans.
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“Stricter control is needed to ensure there will be no free flow of travellers at the main gate of the ferry terminals to mainland Sabah via Tanjung Pagar Sipitang, Menumbok and Jesselton jetties.
“Based on data, the number of travellers from Labuan traveling to Sabah through these ferry terminals is about 700,000 annually which dropped 50 per cent to 350,000 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“And of the number, there are non-Sabahans as well, and there had been issues highlighted by the Sabah government on the abuse of the free flow policy at the terminals and this had resulted in (entry into Sabah) being out of control.
“My working visit today is to ensure these terminals will be given more attention for the safety of travellers in Sabah and Labuan...we never know (if the problem persists), travellers who are non-Sabahans could overstay in Sabah,” he said after visiting the roll on-roll off (ro-ro) ferry terminal here.
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Hamzah said all travellers, including passengers (in vehicles via ro-ro ferry terminals) are subjected to immigration checks.
He said non-Sabahans are required to complete the required forms before they are allowed to travel to mainland Sabah.
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“Foreigners must have their passports stamped by the immigration officer before passing through and this stricter control is upon the request of the Sabah Government and I agreed to it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional has set up a committee to prepare a general election manifesto that will be inclusive of all people, Hamzah said.
He said the focus would be on the political and economic stability of the country and it will be chaired by Bersatu vice-president Radzi Jidin with representatives of PN component parties in the committee.
“This manifesto focuses not only on political stability but also on economic development by providing job opportunities to the people,” he said after officiating at Labuan Bersatu’s Srikandi (women’s wing) and Armada (Youth wing) annual meeting.
Hamzah said the committee would ensure that the pledges contained in the manifesto can be achieved.
On the likely split of Malay votes between Bersatu and Umno in GE15, he said Bersatu was now becoming more accepted by the people, including in Labuan, adding that many former Umno members had joined the party.
Since Bersatu was established six years ago, over 600,000 have registered as party members, he said.
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