LABUAN: A proposal to build a dedicated jetty for tourists and divers at the existing Labuan International Ferry Terminal, with the goal of enhancing Labuan’s tourism sector.
Labuan Fisheries Department director Faizal Ibrahim Suhaili said the proposal gained consensus during an engagement session earlier this year, involving various relevant government agencies.
“The initiative to establish a specialised jetty for tourists and divers bound for Labuan’s popular islands and diving sites comes in recognition of the significant role it could play in enhancing Labuan’s appeal as a tourist destination,” he told Bernama today.
Faizal Ibrahim said the Labuan International Ferry Terminal, with its existing facilities and the presence of local authorities such as Immigration and the terminal operator, provides an ideal platform to monitor and facilitate the movement of tourists.
“The Labuan International Ferry Terminal has the facilities, including the availability of local authorities like Immigration and the terminal operator, to monitor the inflow and outflow of tourists via this terminal,“ he said.
Drawing a parallel with Kota Kinabalu’s Jesselton Point, which serves tourists bound for Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Faizal Ibrahim highlighted the need for Labuan to have a dedicated jetty for visitors heading to the marine park.
“The proposed jetty at the Labuan International Ferry Terminal is anticipated to serve as a convenient gateway for tourists and divers seeking to explore Labuan’s popular islands and diving sites.
“Labuan has shipwrecks and Vernon Bank diving sites, and the establishment of this jetty will greatly facilitate tourists and divers in accessing these attractions,“ he said.
The newly appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr. Zaliha Mustafa recently expressed her commitment to transform Labuan into a hub for economic and tourism activities.
She said this vision aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s overarching goal for the development of Labuan, emphasising its potential as a key player in Malaysia’s tourism landscape.–Bernama
