KOTA KINABALU: A new international port is being planned in coastal Kudat, which is three hours away from the state capital.
“It will increase economic opportunities in Sabah,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who is also state Works Minister.
He said having such a facility in Kudat would offer it a competitive edge like other ports in Klang, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Bung Moktar, who spoke at a ceremony yesterday on the official declaration of POIC Lahad Datu Port, did not elaborate further on the plan.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam who is also state Industrial Development Minister, said the POIC Lahad Datu Port has been in operation since 2013 although it was restricted to the cargo of investors at the industrial park.
“It was not a proper facility because it was not legally declared as a public port until now, so we are hoping when this is opened (to the global market), it can proceed with operations like any other ports.
“We hope to increase the volume of container ships into Sabah. If there are more coming, we hope the price of goods will be reduced,” he said.
On the proposed new international airport in Lahad Datu, Joachim said this is still in the planning stage.
“We are still studying details on the location identified and conducting feasibility studies,” he added.
POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Fredian Gan said in his speech earlier that the Lahad Datu facility is expected to attract more shipping companies involved in exports and imports.
Gan said that several agreements had been inked with Korean and China companies recently, which would connect the POIC Lahad Datu Port as a shipping route connecting the two countries.
