Kota Kinabalu: Api-Api Assemblyman Loi Kok Liang wants clarification for tourism industry players and the public regarding the operations of the new public jetty managed by Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK).
He said the actual function and direction of the jetty remain unclear, resulting in confusion among stakeholders and the general public.
“I am raising these questions not to assign blame to any party, but to seek clarity from the relevant authorities so that the public can better understand the rationale and intent behind these arrangements,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
Loi pointed out that island tourism activities have traditionally been centralised at the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, which is managed by Suria Capital Holdings Berhad and recognised as a dedicated tourism jetty.
He noted that the terminal has long operated under proper regulatory oversight, including enforcement presence, basic medical facilities, and adherence to safety standards, making it a well-structured platform for island-bound tourism.
However, he highlighted recent reports of “customer solicitation” activities in the surrounding area, where tourists are approached, persuaded and redirected to the DBKK jetty for island departures.
He said this raises significant concerns regarding safety, the image of Kota Kinabalu’s tourism sector, and whether such practices are being adequately regulated.
Loi further expressed concern that a jetty originally intended for public use now appears, in practice, to be operating more as a tourism-oriented facility.
“During a visit to the jetty, I observed that most ticket counters were being used by travel agencies to sell tour packages, with no clearly visible counters offering ferry services for the general public,” he said.
He added that the boats docked at the jetty were largely catering to tourists, with very limited presence of vessels serving ordinary passengers.
Based on information gathered on-site, he said there may also be plans to allocate up to 10 additional counters to tourism operators, and he urged the relevant authorities to formally clarify this matter to avoid unnecessary speculation.
From a public policy perspective, Loi emphasised that infrastructure developed by the local authority, particularly a public jetty, should primarily serve the needs of the general public, especially island residents such as those from Gaya Island and surrounding communities.
He said it is therefore natural for the public to question whether the operational direction of the jetty is gradually shifting towards tourism-related activities and potentially involving elements of commercialisation.
If that is the case, he added, then the policy positioning, boundaries, and the role of the local authority in such arrangements should be clearly defined and communicated.
He said the situation raises broader questions about whether the function of the public jetty has effectively shifted and, if it is evolving into a tourism-focused facility, what the future role of the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal will be.
He also questioned whether such arrangements might create confusion among tourists and the general public.
Loi said that, as the capital city, urban planning and the management of public infrastructure in Kota Kinabalu must be clear, coordinated, and aligned among all relevant authorities.
In this regard, he called on the relevant agencies to clarify why DBKK appears to be involved in arrangements resembling tourism-related operations, whether the Ministry of Tourism has been informed and is aligned with these arrangements, and whether the relevant transport or regulatory authorities are aware that the public jetty appears to prioritise tourism usage over general public access.
“I believe that every policy or initiative must have its underlying rationale. However, when it involves public resources, market roles, and the image of the city, clarity and transparency are essential,” he said.
He urged the authorities to provide a clear explanation so that the public, industry players, and all stakeholders can better understand the direction moving forward.
“Only with clarity can we ensure that Kota Kinabalu continues to develop as a well-organised, safe, and professional city,” he said.
