Dr Zaliha: Labuan has potential to become regional hub following BFF success
PUTRAJAYA (Aug 15): Labuan has great potential to become a regional focal point for trade, tourism, culture and cross-border cooperation, driven by the successful organisation of the Borneo Flora Festival (BFF) 2025, which attracted over 120,000 visitors and generated economic returns exceeding RM35 million for the island's residents.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the number of visitors far exceeded the initial target of 50,000 people, with visitors coming from all over the country and abroad, including the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Timor Leste, China, and India.
The five-day BFF held last month also recorded 66,720 external visitors and 16,680 vehicles, in addition to 12,347 visitors arriving by speedboat and passenger ferry services.
'This large-scale event provided significant economic benefits to the people of Labuan through nearly RM22 million in direct spending and a value-added multiplier effect exceeding RM35 million.
'In addition, it also encourages improvements to basic facilities such as roads, landscaping, public amenities and lighting,' she said at an appreciation ceremony for BFF 2025 strategic partners here yesterday.
The event was also attended by Federal Territories Department director-general Datuk Seri Noridah Abdul Rahim, National Unity Ministry secretary-general Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid, Putrajaya Corporation president Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud, as well as representatives from government agencies, strategic partners, and the media.
Commenting on Labuan's future direction, Dr Zaliha said challenges such as limited accommodation capacity and connectivity issues should be seen as opportunities to attract investors, empower local entrepreneurs, and strengthen public-private partnerships to improve facilities and transportation networks.
She emphasised Labuan's strategic location in the heart of the Borneo archipelago, which connects it to Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Kalimantan, thus offering access to over 20 million people in the region.
'The development of (Indonesia's new administrative capital) Nusantara in East Kalimantan opens up great opportunities for Labuan to become a major stopover destination, logistics centre, and international event hub,' she said.
Dr Zaliha added that the success of BFF should be a catalyst for organising subsequent events such as the Borneo Arts Festival to promote Labuan at the regional and international levels. — Bernama Borneo Flora Festival Dr Zaliha Mustafa Labuan lead
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
33 minutes ago
- Barnama
APEC Preparation Meeting Approves Seoul-Led Action Plan For Development
SEOUL, Aug 15 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- A Seoul-led action plan for the capacity building of developing economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was approved at a meeting of senior APEC officials held to prepare the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said on Friday. According to Yonhap News Agency, the five-step Capacity Building Need Initiative (CBNI) for developing APEC economies was endorsed at the APEC 2025 Korea Third Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM3), held in Incheon, about 40 kilometres west of Seoul. The two-day SOM3 brought together some 5,800 officials from 21 APEC member economies, delegations from observers and the secretariat to discuss a road map on strengthening the service competitiveness of the Asia-Pacific region and improving the environment for business and trade as well as devising a new financial action plan for APEC.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
IMF Data: Kazakhstan Leads Post-Soviet States In GDP Per Capita
ASTANA, Aug 15 (Bernama-Kazinform) -- Kazakhstan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in 2025 is expected to reach an impressive US$14,770, according to the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) figures. Kazinform International News Agency reported that this figure is calculated at current prices, taking into account inflation and the present price level, making it a key indicator of economic well-being. By comparison, Russia, long considered the economic leader of the post-Soviet space, will stand at US$14,260, while energy-rich Turkmenistan will reach US$13,340. Notably, Kazakhstan has also surpassed China, where GDP per capita is projected at US$13,690. bootstrap slideshow The data highlights a substantial economic gap within the region. Kazakhstan is not only in the lead but is also showing consistent progress, overtaking countries with traditionally strong economies such as Russia and even large global players like China. Kazakhstan's achievement can be attributed to several key factors that have driven steady economic growth and strengthened its position in the region. The country holds some of the world's largest reserves of oil, gas, uranium, and other minerals. Exports of energy resources and raw materials remain a central driver of the economy. In recent years, Kazakhstan has worked to diversify its exports by developing processing industries and increasing the share of high value-added products. The government has pursued consistent reforms aimed at improving the business climate, attracting foreign investment, and developing infrastructure. State programmes have helped modernise the economy and boost competitiveness, while investments in sectors such as transport, logistics, and technology have played a significant role. Spending on education, healthcare, and social infrastructure has raised living standards, which in turn has supported productivity growth and expanded the domestic consumer market. Kazakhstan's strategic location in Central Asia makes it a vital link between Europe and Asia. Participation in initiatives like the Belt and Road, along with active cooperation with Russia, China, the European Union, and other partners, has expanded the country's economic opportunities.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Petronas Chemicals drops 11% after RM1bil loss in Q2
Petronas Chemicals suffered its largest quarterly loss since listing with a RM1.08 billion net loss in Q2 FY2025. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd's (PCG) shares tumbled 11% today after posting its largest quarterly loss since its listing in 2010, at RM1.08 billion for the second quarter ended June 30 (Q2 FY2025). The integrated chemicals producer, which posted a RM777 million net profit a year ago, saw its earnings affected by lower product margins, huge unrealised foreign exchange losses, and asset impairments. The stock fell as much as 44 sen or 11% to RM3.52 in the afternoon session, following the release of its Q2 financial results. It managed to pare its losses to close 36 sen or 9.1% lower at RM3.60, valuing the group at RM28.8 billion. It was the 11th most active stock on Bursa Malaysia with 26.4 million shares traded. Year to date, the stock has fallen nearly 26%. Revenue for Q2 fell 16% year-on-year to RM6.4 billion, impacted by lower sales volumes and product prices, reduced revenue from joint operations and the ringgit's appreciation against the US dollar. For the first six months of FY2025, the Petronas Group's chemical arm posted a cumulative net loss of RM1.1 billion from a net profit of RM1.45 billion in the same period last year. Revenue for the first half fell 7.4% to RM14.09 billion from RM15.23 billion last year. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) fell 56% to RM395 million, mainly due to weaker product spreads and reduced contribution from Pengerang Petrochemical Company Sdn Bhd (PPCSB). Forex losses widened to RM446 million from RM62 million a year earlier, largely due to the unrealised forex impact from the revaluation of shareholder loans to PPCSB. The group also recognised RM431 million in impairment losses on property, plant and equipment within its specialities segment, primarily at its Swedish unit Perstorp, which it acquired for RM7.31 billion in 2022. PCG's plant utilisation rate dropped to 77% from 94% in the previous quarter, as feedstock supply disruptions and repair and maintenance works impacted production. Among the affected facilities was PC Fertiliser Kedah, which faced feedstock shortages due to the gas pipeline incident at Putra Heights, which was fully resolved as of June 2025. Strategic portfolio review The disappointing results has prompted the group to intensify its business review, cut costs and resize its workforce. In a statement, the company also said it was reassessing investments in joint ventures and associates. Mazuin Ismail. Managing director and CEO Mazuin Ismail said in light of the increasingly dynamic market environment, PCG is undertaking a 'strategic portfolio review across our entire value chain'. 'Although we faced market and operational challenges during the quarter, our financial position remains robust. 'Furthermore, our value creation and cost optimisation initiatives have led to more than RM200 million in improvement in Ebitda on a year-to-date basis. This has enabled us to declare an interim dividend of RM240 million,' he said in a statement. The group declared a first interim dividend of three sen per share, down from 10 sen in the same quarter last year, payable in September.
