2dPoint

What “Retreat”?

The news about Labuan’s prospective future was made public in the papers on Friday 18^th August 2006 (‘Labuan’s population too little’, Daily Express). There is no untoward implication mentioned of its “u-turn policy,” from being a duty-free to a non-duty-free island. It is far from unusual, as a culture on the island, to let the public know a little at a time until the grand plan is all ready for implementation. Only a handful of elite will know exactly what will be on the menu for the future. There is no document on the “Retreat Halatuju Pembangunan WP Labuan” published anywhere in the relevant website. No such or related document is available for public access.

This writing is not primarily about contending whether a U-turn is good or bad for Labuan. It is the way a policy about the island is ascertained, that is, without much public awareness and absence of a concrete feasibility study available for public scrutiny. After all, it is the public’s fund that will be utilised.

There is also the question of who will benefit from a drastic change in the direction of Labuan’s future, especially from the building of a bridge from mainland Sabah to Labuan?

Some welcomed the idea (building the bridge) because they say, there will be ease of mobility for people and goods; that encourages trade and population increase within the island, and that the price of cigarettes and liquor will be high so consumption (and smuggling) of such products will be heavily reduced. Is that supported by any study on the matters? How will ease of mobility increase Labuan’s population? Population does not increase purely on enhanced mobility.

The seminar on “Retreat Halatuju Pembangunan WP Labuan” held at Magellan Sutera, Kota Kinabalu (why should such an important event for all Labuan to know is held outside the island is beyond my comprehension as Labuan has all the facility needed for an international function.) suggested that the development concept previously adopted had failed to develop Labuan according to its objectives. That means, at least 22 years of policy implementation had come to nothing for Labuan; not to mention the billions of ringgit spent by the authorities on various projects on the island. At this stage, too, obtaining clean water for all Labuan citizens is still an issue. Has there been a lack of priority thinking on the part of the policy makers? Basic utility comes first before mega projects.

The Federal territory Minister said “… we need to look back on what we have done and what needs to be done.” What HAD been done? Where are the statistics, figures, yardstick/measurement to measure the success/failure of the administration of the island? Is it true that a small population was the only cause for wanting a U-turn in policy? What may happen if job opportunities are improved? What if more niches are created for Labuan? What will happen if the skilled labour sector is improved?

There was also mentioned that Labuan can be developed as a regional educational centre and a halal food hub entails? Has there been any successful venture in both the areas? Reactivating Sabah Shipyard to its glorious past had been a promise made for almost a decade without any success.

The long-proposed bridge is thought to improve the economy of the island. What are the rationales for that opinion? How in specific terms the bridge will significantly contribute to improve the island’s economy?

Perhaps, first, the island needs a reform in its administration. There ought to be a professionally run local authority to achieve the highest standard of administration that concerned itself mainly with the interest of the people by simultaneously being a sustainable organisation. A different mindset is needed to upgrade the quality of the workforce that make the island functions as the IOFC, tourist attraction and a duty free island. We cannot be continually building infrastructure, bricks, and walls to sustain the economy. Purchasing power can be obtained other than through increased population. There should be in place strategies to ensure that the buying powers stay to support local businesses.

What research has been done to justify a change in policy? These and many more questions are imperative to be answered by the authorities to put the citizens' mind and soul at rest.

In addition, I believe, the principles of “participation, transparency, responsiveness, equity, accountability, and good governance, rule of law, efficiency, and effectiveness” will serve as excellent guidelines to begin a new administrative era on the island.

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The above article first appeared in the Daily Express (Forum section) on Sunday 3rd September 2006 with a different title.

# posted by Rozaini M R @ 8:01 AM