Kudat, situated at the northernmost tip of Borneo, presents a strategic opportunity for the development of both an airport and a shipping port due to its potential for trade and investment.
Lau added that he is pleased that political parties like Barisan Nasional, among others, are focused on making the port in Kudat happen.
“This means that opportunities have been spotted. Usually, agreements require discussion, and it seems they want to develop Kudat as a potential hub.
“In terms of business, having more sea ports translates to increased investments and improved infrastructure; we are pleased with the enhanced connectivity to both the region and the world,” said Lau.
He also noted that establishing another port in Kudat would provide additional options for shipping and logistics.
“This means we don’t have to overly depend on one as part of risk management,” he added.
Lau said it is also important that the proposed Kudat port be economically feasible, as the Lahad Datu Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) Port is currently underutilised.
“I recently had the opportunity to visit the Lahad Datu POIC Port. It has been very underused for many years.
“So, the next state government must address this concern.”
Noting Kudat’s strategic location at the tip of Sabah, Lau said any proposal for a port there must also take into account its distance to major towns in Sabah.
“We also have to define the mission and vision of the sea port. It should not just connect to Kota Kinabalu but also to Sandakan and Tawau, as well as Sarawak’s Bintulu, Sibu and Kuching,” he added.
The Kudat parliamentary seat is made up of four state seats – Banggi, Bengkoka, Pitas and Tanjong Kapor.
The Barisan candidate for Banggi is Normalah Rasik, while Harun Durabi is slotted for Bengkoka, Bolkiah Ismail for Pitas, and Sabah MCA deputy chairman Kelvin Lee Sip Kin is contesting Tanjong Kapor.
On Nov 22, Barisan announced its election manifesto, known as “Rancangan Pembangunan Sabah Satu (RPS1)” or the One Sabah Development Plan, which outlines six key thrusts aimed at driving the state’s development and enhancing the well-being of its people.
The six thrusts are economic prosperity and well-being, youth and women empowerment, quality education, political transformation, public health and social protection, and sustainable resource management.
Barisan’s election pledges contain several major initiatives, such as constructing a new international airport in Tawau, operationalising Kudat Port with a free trade zone, expediting the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway, and strengthening Sabah as a regional economic hub.
Sabahans will go to the polls on Saturday.
