LABUAN MONOPOLY FERRY BUSINESS LINK TO PAIRIN?

DAP Sabah was shocked that Labuan Ferry Corporation (LFC) which runs a monopolistic ferry service between Labuan and mainland Sabah has once again put the blame directly on the Ministry of Infrastructure Development headed by Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

DAP Sabah Assistant Secretary Junz Wong urged Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan who is also Deputy Chief Minister to make a stance on LFC Executive Director Peter Kong's reply in the Daily Express dated on 24 July.

Kong has said clearly that the said Ministry in denying landing rights at Menumbok has created a monopoly ferry business and that the Ministry has 15 years to change the situation by allowing other operators to compete but it did not. So who is to be blamed now?"

He even belittled Pairin on this issue saying that LFC would not argue with him because he (Pairin) has not been fully briefed. Junz wants Tan Sri Pairin to give a thorough explanation on this issue in order for him not to lose his credibility. Choosing to remain silent is only worsening the issue, Junz added. Many People are following closely and waiting for the Honourable Minister to resolve this issue, Junz said.

Junz Wong who is also the DAPSY KK Assistant Youth Chief has rubbished Peter Kong explanations.

Junz thinks that Peter Kong is trying to avoid answering on the relevant questions. Junz wants to know from Kong who authorised LFC to apply the trailer fare to lorry operators who he claimed to be dishonest.

Junz also wants to know in what capacity is LFC to be the authority to determine which lorries are "over-laddened" and is LFC the authority to charge for more for these so-called over-laddened lorries when the Ministry has issued out an approved price list. Is LFC been given the mandate or is it the representative of the Road Transport Department, Puspakom and so forth, Junz asked.

Unless LFC has approved letter from Infrastructure Development Minister Pairin (which is apparent that LFC doesn't have one), LFC has NO AUTHORITY to apply the extra charge on his self-claimed "dishonest" lorry operators.

Junz also demanded justification for the increase in the transportation fare. In view of this, DAP Sabah will assist lorry operators and the people of Labuan to take legal actions against both LFC and the Ministries involved as we are tired of them pushing the blames on each other. Junz concluded. (DAP Media)