LABUAN, June 29 (Bernama) -- Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa has urged Labuan Corporation (LC) to expand its remit beyond waste management, roads, and drains and instead proactively act as a facilitator of community empowerment.
“Labuan Corporation must act as a facilitator to empower the socioeconomic well‑being of the people, including addressing food security and the high cost of living on the island,” she said told Bernama after a meeting with Labuan Corporation's top management today.
Dr Zaliha stressed for governance and integrity to be the foundational principles of local authority operations.
Despite Labuan boasting the second-highest GDP per capita in Malaysia, primarily driven by the oil and gas and finance sectors, Dr Zaliha pointed out that this prosperity has not translated into tangible benefits for ordinary residents.
Thus, she said initiatives aimed at reducing dependence on food imports by increasing local production of essential items such as poultry, meat, eggs and vegetables, thereby boosting food self-sufficiency should be prioritised.
Dr Zaliha noted that the upcoming Borneo Flora Festival in Labuan is designed to generate multiplier effects across the hospitality, transportation, food and beverage, and homestay sectors, ensuring economic gains reach grassroots businesses.
Dr Zaliha reminded Labuan Corporation that it must transcend traditional administrative roles to become a dynamic catalyst for inclusive growth, championing food security, upholding integrity and leveraging tourism and infrastructure development to ensure that Labuan’s wealth benefits all residents.
--BERNAMA
