LABUAN: Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce chairman Datuk Wong Kii Yii urged the Federal Territories Ministry not to proceed with the proposed RM22 million roll-on roll-off ferry terminal upgrade saying it will not in any way ease overcrowding with yearly traffic soaring.
“Instead the fund should be used to build a new terminal exclusively for the movement of commercial vehicles such lorries and trailers away from town at the new coastal road.
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“Maintain the existing terminal in town for use by passenger vehicles,” he said.
Wong said only this would ensure heavy vehicles avoid using the busy town road and ease traffic congestion in town and at the ro-ro terminal. It is a sure way to settle the traffic-related problems.
“The second terminal would also open up economic opportunities in a new area.”
Wong was speaking at the chamber’s dinner with the deputy FT minister Datuk Lo Su Fui. Present were representatives of seven clan associations. He said he would arrange for another joint chamber meeting the minister later.
He hoped that Lo would convey the request to Putra Jaya and have the terminal project reviewed because the site is also not large enough to cater for more growth.
“What needed to be done for the smooth flow of traffic without long over-flowing queue is for the Immigration to speed up the clearance process for passengers with a drive through system by showing the boarding pass and document without passengers have to get out of vehicle to line-up to get the boarding stamped,” said Wong.
He also noted any enhancement of terminal facilities should have matching improvements at Menumbok, making entry and exits at both points equally smooth.
On another note Wong questioned the Labuan Corporation (LC) in approving weeks for the resurfacing the wobbly pavement circulating the huge roundabout in town and affecting traffic flow.
“ I have been told that it could be efficiently done within two weeks using he right materials, tool and manpower and working longer hours, taking weeks for the simple job was not acceptable since the project started businesses around the area had also been affected,” said Wong.
He added that the fund for the project would have been bettdr utilised for brightening up the area where both the port and the ferry terminals are located.
He said people who visit Labuan do not come to see how beautiful was the roundabout and hoped the deputy minister would look into the issue.
