SABAH plans to restart barter trade operations from January 1 next year in a bid to encourage business growth and create job opportunities for Sabahans.

Chief Minister Shafie Apdal said the State Security Council is in the midst of preparing an improved standard operating procedure to ensure the operations run smoothly.

Kudat, Sandakan, Tawau and Lahad Datu ports have been identified as the centres for such trade, he said.

“There have been many demands especially from the business communities in Kudat, Tawau and Sandakan to restart the barter trade.

“The security council has decided to prepare an improved SOP and if it permits, we will commence barter trade on January 1 next year,” he told reporters after chairing the State Security Council meeting today.

Also present were Sabah Police Commissioner Omar Mammah and State Secretary Hasim Paijan.

Sabah had banned barter trade indefinitely in April 2016 following security concerns such as kidnapping and piracy, as well as smuggling of subsidised goods like gas cylinders, rice and cooking oil.

At one point, smuggling of such goods had caused an acute shortage for Sabah consumers.

In addressing this, Shafie said the security of trade passages will be beefed up on the Malaysian side and that the same will have to be done in neighbouring countries.

He noted it is common for governments to improve facilities and security when businesses are doing well.

Shafie said several areas will be looked at, such as boat designs, boat locating mechanism as well as restriction on the sales of subsidised goods. – October 9, 2018.