BUSINESS

LABUAN CORP URGED TO CREATE MORE BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CULTURE

04/12/2021 07:58 PM

By Jailani Hasan

LABUAN, Dec 4 -- Labuan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Labuan Bistro Owners Association (LBOA) have jointly urged Labuan Corporation to create a more business-friendly culture to support the jurisdiction’s businesses and economic development.

This was in response to the local authority’s newly-enforced by-law that shortens the operating hours allowed for eateries and bistros, which must now close by midnight compared to 2 am previously.

LICCI secretary Balvir Singh said the unfriendly business approach would only turn Labuan into an unattractive destination for businesses and investments.

“Labuan Corporation should be like other local authorities in major towns in the country by being a facilitator for businesses rather than a punisher.

“Punishing the business community will only hit business activities. It should adopt a business-friendly approach to boost economic activities in this duty-free island as businesses are just moving towards recovery,” he told Bernama here today.

He said the standard operating procedure (SOP), introduced all of a sudden, would impact businesses and make it difficult for the operators to cover their expenses, including staff salaries.

Prior to this, Labuan eateries and bistros were allowed to operate from 6 am until 2 am based on the National Security Council’s SOP dated Oct 11, 2021.

Meanwhile, LBOA president Surjit Singh said Labuan Corporation should be more rational in enforcing the laws by having prior consultation with the business community.

“The newly-enforced by-law was enforced without consulting eatery and bistro operators. The letter dated Nov 30 (Licensing Conditions for the Operation of Food Premises - Determination of Operating Period) issued to us in the middle of the night on Dec 1 to immediately close operation at 12 am, which was unfair to us.

“There must also be no provocation in law enforcement. Otherwise, it would only tarnish the reputation and image of Labuan Corporation as a local authority,” he said. 

Surjit said the association would submit a memorandum of complaint (and dialogue) to the Federal Territories Minister and Deputy Minister for appropriate solutions to issues plaguing the operators of eateries and bistros in Labuan. 

“Labuan Corporation should collaborate with business operators to improve the economic environment in Labuan instead of adopting a punishment approach towards businesses,” he said.

-- BERNAMA

 

 


 


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