Melaka govt to focus on 3 port projects
MELAKA: Chief Minister Adly Zahari is determined to bring back the glory days of Melaka, which thrived during the Sultanate of Melaka due to its strategic position and port, and restore the sector as the state’s major economic contributor.
To make this a reality, Adly said, Melaka had to plan the development of a sustainable port, and the first step towards this would be to focus on the development of three ports — Port of Melaka Gateway, Port of Tanjung Bruas and Port of Kuala Linggi.
He said the focus on the three major ports, compared with nine by the previous government, would accord more attention on their development, thereby accelerating economic growth.
“Given this focus, including monitoring the ports’ development, we can speed up the approval process, make changes to the site where land reclamation is taking place and ensure proper distribution between the state government and concessionaires involved in the development of a particular coast.
He said Port of Melaka Gateway, once completed, would boost the state’s economy through tourism, while Port of Tanjung Bruas would serve as a container port handling transportation operations.
Adly said Port of Kuala Linggi had the potential to be an international port, as it generated RM50 million in revenues annually.
“We will hold discussions with the Negri Sembilan government on the issue of borders. We believe that when Port of Kuala Linggi is developed, Port Dickson will grow in terms of revenues.”
As for the revenues expected to be generated by the three ports, Adly said the potential was being assessed and would be announced once the evaluation of the ports was finalised.
On the cost to develop the ports, he said it involved foreign investors and the state government.
“The Port of Tanjung Bruas project involves local companies, the development of Port of Kuala Linggi is open to bidding, while the reclamation work for Port of Melaka Gateway will be jointly undertaken by KAJ Development Sdn Bhd and foreign investors.