DAP Sarawak do not oppose to the abolishment of cabotage policy but merely points out that the abolishment of the said policy will not reduce the prices of goods in Sarawak as claimed by the BN ministers.
Cabotage policy is a policy that prohibits foreign vessels from landing in Sarawak ports. However, over the years, there was liberalisation of this policy and thus many foreign vessels from foreign countries that are major trading partners with Sarawak, like China, Japan, etc. have already been allowed to land in Sarawak ports without going through Port Klang.
Therefore, to blame cabotage policy as the cause of expensive prices of goods in Sarawak is to divert the real issue of inflation in Sarawak. The true cause for the rising prices of goods and costs of living in Sarawak is the depreciating Ringgit which is the result of economic mismanagement by the BN Government.
As far as the abolishment of cabotage policy is concerned, we have no objection for foreign vessels from their countries landing on Sarawak ports.
However, the Government should consider the impact of also opening up the shipping routes for the flow of cargo within Malaysia, ie. the shipping of goods originally produced in West Malaysia to Sarawak. If such routes were also open to foreign vessels, the Sarawak shippers and shipping industry will be badly affected.
The rationale for such protectionism policy is similar to the rationale for the protection of local contractors for government contracts, preferential policy for the employment of local workers over foreign workers, professionals from other states cannot practice their professions in Sarawak, etc.
On the claim by the BN Government that the abolishment of cabotage policy will reduce the price of goods in Sarawak, we are open to be so convinced by the BN Government.
Please list out the goods the prices of which will be reduced and by how much will such reduction be after the abolishment of cabotage policy.
Another simple question: After the abolishment of cabotage policy, will car prices be reduced and if so, by how much?
As the government of the day and ministers, one should have the facts and figures before making any announcement of policies and should not govern based on impulses, hot air and perception.