LABUAN: Hundreds of small-time traders at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) at the Pasar Sentral building here will enjoy six months free rental beginning next Jan.

       Senator Datuk Bashir Alias said the relaxation was approved by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim during a meeting in Labuan recently.

       "The relaxation is being given after taking into consideration the predicament and financial burden of the small-time traders at UTC Pasar Sentral building after being badly hit by the Covid-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) due to the pandemic," he said.

       "These traders need assistance to continue staying afloat, and we hope the relaxation will be a boon to them, and so they can focus on their businesses, without having to worry about the monthly rental,” added Bashir.

       He said this at a press conference after chairing the "New Norm Culture Programme" for the People’s Representative Council leaders and village heads at the Wisma Perbadanan Labuan here on Thursday (Dec 30).

       Bashir, who is also Labuan Corporation advisory council chairman, said these traders comprising of fish mongers, vegetable and fruit sellers, tailors, clothes and merchandise sellers had been enjoying a 50% discount on monthly rental throughout 2021.

       The UTC Pasar Sentral, managed by Labuan Corporation, imposes monthly rental ranging from RM35, RM400, RM500, RM1,000, RM1,200, RM1,400, RM2,500 and RM3,500, providing business facilities totalling 863 lots.

       Meanwhile, Bashir also said that the FT Ministry has approved the extension of the 50 per cent discount (throughout the year 2022) on ferry tickets for travellers from Labuan to mainland Sabah and Sarawak via the duty-free island's two ferry terminals for both passenger boats and ferries.

       The destinations are from Labuan to Kota Kinabalu, Menumbok and Sipitang in Sabah and Lawas and Limbang in Sarawak. - Bernama