KOTA KINABALU, June 1 — A committee will be formed to study and discuss the implications of the implementation of the cabotage policy exemption in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan starting today.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is heading the committee, said all parties needed to discuss and voice out their opinions on the exemption in the government’s stride to stabilise and reduce cargo shipping tariff.

"There are those who do not understand or refuse to understand (the implementation) and made certain remarks. A handful of people want the policy to be abolished, instead of exempted for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

"What is important is that the government has good intentions and we have to discuss thoroughly the effectiveness of the exemption,” he told reporters after officiating the International Spiritual, Cultural and Sustainable Tourism here today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, on May 7, announced the exemption of the cabotage policy for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

The policy, enforced since 30 years ago in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, aims at controlling goods shipped from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak. — Bernama