Image credit: The Vibes
LABUAN: The stricter Immigration checks on travellers from Labuan at the Menumbok Roll-On Roll-Off (RO-RO) ferry terminal had caused a long queue and delayed ferry disembarkment process.
The second immigration checks (after the exit point at the Labuan ferry terminal) are conducted on each traveller from Labuan upon arrival at the Menumbok ferry terminal checkpoint.
The policy that was enforced yesterday, also requires all travellers, including those originally from Sabah, to come earlier with valid travel documents to the Immigration counters before embarking on the ferry to Labuan.
The Labuan Chamber of Commerce (LCC) and the Labuan Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LICCI) issued a joint statement today objecting to the double-screening border control checks, describing them as a stumbling block to Labuan's tourism and economic sectors.
The business chambers are appealing to the Home Ministry to review the immigration checks at the two ferry terminals of Labuan and Menumbok.
"Why must we have double screenings at two exit points of Labuan and Menumbok ferry terminals on travellers from Labuan? This has caused an unnecessarily long queue.
"We are not objecting against the new policy of stricter border control, but it has to be a systematic one that is not troubling travellers, especially those seeking medical treatment at the hospital in Kota Kinabalu, elderly or family with children," LCC chairman Daniel Doughty said.
He said the border control imposed on Sabahans working and residing in Labuan is against one of the points enshrined in the handover agreement of Labuan to the Federal Territory in 1984.
"It is clearly stated in the agreement that Malaysians originally from Sabah who reside in Sabah and Labuan can travel freely across the two borders.
"Based on the feedback from the business community, the stricter immigration checks will have a negative impact on the rebuilding of the Labuan economy, particularly in terms of domestic tourism," he said.
He said the historical ties between Labuan and Sabah are based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
"If Labuan is now a Federal Territory and no longer included in MA63, at the very least, we should acknowledge and respect the Labuan Agreement where Sabahans can travel freely between Labuan and Sabah," Doughty said.
The business chambers are appealing for cooperation and consideration from the Immigration Department to review their current processes and implement technological solutions to streamline the procedures.
The business chambers also believed respecting the agreement would enhance the economic and social ties between Labuan and Sabah.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/885306/labuan-business-groups-call-review-immigration-checks-ferry-terminal