Latest news with #VisitSabahYear2026
Daily Express
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu-Labuan ferry service resumes
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: Larry Ralon Text Size: Hajiji said the ferry service is expected to have a positive impact on State's tourism, especially in the lead-up to Visit Sabah Year 2026. Kota Kinabalu: The passenger ferry service between Kota Kinabalu and Federal Territory of Labuan has resumed after being suspended during Covid-19, strengthening maritime transport links and reopening a vital route for public mobility and inter-regional economic growth. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the resumption is not merely a logistical move but a clear signal of the Government's concern for the welfare of the people in Sabah and Labuan. 'This service is very important to the people. It is not just a transport route, but a connector of families, education, tourism and business that has long existed,' he said when launching the service at the port, here, Tuesday. He said the disruption was due to several factors, including unsafe jetty structures, withdrawal of fuel subsidies for operators and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. As an immediate solution, the ferry terminal was relocated from Jesselton Point to Kota Kinabalu Port, with the operations now fully managed by the Kota Kinabalu Port authority. 'This project also received an allocation of RM1.3 million from the Federal Territories Ministry for improvement works. Advertisement 'I express my appreciation to all agencies involved, including the Internal Affairs and Research Office (PHEDNP), Sabah Ports Authority (LPPS), Works Ministry, Federal Territories Ministry and the Suria Group, who have worked together to realise this initiative,' he said. Hajiji said the ferry service is expected to have a positive impact on State's tourism, especially in the lead-up to Visit Sabah Year 2026. 'It also opens up new opportunities in trade and investment between Sabah and Labuan,' he said. He stressed that Sabah and Labuan have a shared history, culture and deep social connections, making this route highly significant for the people of both regions. He said many Sabahans work and live in Labuan, and vice versa. Therefore, the reconnection of the route is meaningful for many. He added that with the resumption, the public has more transport options — via air, overland to Menumbok or directly by express ferry from Kota Kinabalu to Labuan as before. Hajiji said the launch also marks the beginning of a more robust, efficient and sustainable maritime transport framework, in line with the State's aspiration to provide people-friendly and environmentally-friendly facilities for future generations. He assured that the State Government is committed to ensuring no one is left behind due to logistical constraints and that infrastructure development will continue to be driven for inclusive progress. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Sabah Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya, Senator Tan Sri Anifah Aman and other leaders. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
RM1.3 mln for KK Port jetty upgrade, KK-LABUAN ferry service resumes
KOTA KINABALU: The federal government has approved an allocation of RM1.3 million for the Kota Kinabalu Port jetty repair and upgrading works as a prerequisite for restoring the express ferry service between Kota Kinabalu and the Labuan Federal Territory. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, said that improved connectivity between the two areas will stimulate growth across various sectors and strengthen East Malaysia's economic bloc. '...this express ferry service carries great significance as it is set to become a catalyst for the regional economic, social, and developmental networks, including reinforcing family ties, facilitating the community's daily affairs, supply chains, and local socio-economic dynamics,' she said. She was speaking at today's Kota Kinabalu-Labuan jetty and passenger ferry launching ceremony, officiated by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at Kota Kinabalu Port here. The passenger ferry service operations were suspended for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Zaliha said that students, patients, traders, and civil servants were affected during that period, and increased costs and longer travel times also impacted their welfare and daily productivity. However, she said, the travel time between the two locations can now be reduced to around three hours compared to the previous five hours. She said that over 400,000 trips were recorded via the sea routes, specifically Menumbok and Sipitang, in 2024 for various purposes, including employment, education, healthcare, and family matters, while more than 145,000 journeys were recorded in the first four months of this year. 'With the launch of this route, the total projected sea travels between Sabah and Labuan are expected to increase to 500,000. This will generate economic spillovers and revive the coastal economy, particularly in the food, transportation, accommodation, and retail sectors,' she added. Meanwhile, in his speech, Hajiji said the resumption of the ferry service would bolster the maritime transport network and reopen a vital route for people's mobility and cross-regional economic development, also sending a clear signal of the government's commitment to the people's welfare. He said that, besides the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, service disruptions were also caused by factors such as unsafe jetty structures and the withdrawal of fuel subsidies for operators, adding that as an immediate solution, the ferry terminal was relocated from Jesselton Point to Kota Kinabalu Port, with operational management entirely handled by the port. 'This ferry service is expected to positively impact the state's tourism sector, especially ahead of Visit Sabah Year 2026, while also opening new opportunities in trade and investment between Sabah and Labuan,' he said. He said the service resumption also marks the beginning of a stronger, more efficient, and sustainable maritime transportation framework, in line with the state's aspiration to provide people-friendly and environmentally friendly facilities for future generations.
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
KK–Labuan ferry service resumes, boosting connectivity and tourism
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, accompanied by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, signs a plaque at the launch ceremony of the jetty and the inauguration of the Kota Kinabalu–Labuan Ferry Service at Kota Kinabalu Port on Tuesday. KOTA KINABALU (May 27): The passenger ferry service between Kota Kinabalu and the Federal Territory of Labuan has resumed after several years of suspension, strengthening maritime transport links and reopening a vital route for public mobility and cross-regional economic development. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said the resumption of this route is more than just a logistical move, it is a clear signal of the government's concern for the well-being of the people in Sabah and Labuan. 'This service is crucial for the people. It is not just a means of transportation, but a connector of families, education, tourism and business that have long been intertwined,' he said during the launch ceremony of the jetty and the Kota Kinabalu–Labuan Passenger Ferry at Kota Kinabalu Port on Tuesday. He explained that the previous service disruptions were caused by several factors, including unsafe jetty structures, the withdrawal of fuel subsidies for operators, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, all of which affected the continuity of mobility for the people. As an immediate solution, the ferry terminal was relocated from Jesselton Point to Kota Kinabalu Port, with operational management now fully under the Kota Kinabalu Port authority. 'This project also received an allocation of RM1.3 million from the Ministry of Federal Territories for improvement works,' he said. 'I would like to express my appreciation to all agencies involved, including the Department of Internal Affairs and Research (PHEDNP), Sabah Ports Authority (LPPS), the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Federal Territories, and Suria Group for their joint efforts in realizing this initiative,' he added. Hajiji said the ferry service is expected to have a positive impact on the state's tourism sector, especially in the lead-up to Visit Sabah Year 2026. 'It also opens new opportunities in trade and investment between Sabah and Labuan,' he said. He emphasized that the ties between Sabah and Labuan go beyond geography, they encompass deep-rooted historical, cultural and social connections, making this route highly significant to the people of both regions. According to him, many Sabahans work and reside in Labuan, and vice versa. Therefore, the reconnection of this route is highly meaningful to many. He said that with the resumption of this service, the public now has more transportation options, whether by air, by road to Menumbok, or directly via express ferry from Kota Kinabalu to Labuan as in the past. Hajiji stated that the launch marks the beginning of a stronger, more efficient and sustainable maritime transportation framework, in line with the state's aspiration to provide people-friendly and environmentally friendly facilities for future generations. He assured that the State Government is committed to ensuring that no citizen is left behind due to logistical limitations, and infrastructure development will continue to be driven for inclusive progress. 'May this jetty and ferry service become a bridge that connects not only regions but also relationships, economic opportunities, and the future hopes of the people,' he said.
