ALOR STAR – The Kedah government has yet to receive adequate clarification from Putrajaya regarding Yan’s gazettement as a federal port.
Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said he was shocked to learn of the matter announced by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong yesterday.
“Actually, the proposal to build Yan Port is not a new thing,” he told a press conference at Wisma Darul Aman today.
“But when it was announced yesterday, we should have been informed as well. We only knew about it through the media.”
It is understood that Yan Port will be operated by utility and infrastructure conglomerate MMC Corp Bhd, owned by tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary.
MMC owns Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd, Johor Port Bhd, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd, Penang Port Sdn Bhd and Tanjung Bruas Port Sdn Bhd.
Sanusi said despite reaching out to Wee yesterday to seek clarification, further discussions must be held with the minister.
With the construction of Yan Port, the menteri besar hopes Kedah will have its own port authority, a matter that was previously standardised under the management of the Penang Port Commission.
“We hope to establish the Kedah Port Commission, now that it has been announced that Yan will be gazetted as a federal port. This is Kedah’s request.”
The state currently has Teluk Ewa Port in Langkawi, which has been handling cargo operations since 1984.
Wee in a statement said Yan was gazetted as a federal port on May 10, which sees about 600 sq km – accounting for a distance of 20 nautical miles from the coastline – declared as part of the port under Sections 5 and 6 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.
He said the move is in line with Budget 2021, passed last November, that allocates RM780 million to develop five federal economic development corridors for ongoing projects this year.
Yan Port will come under the jurisdiction of the Marine Department, which will oversee matters related to shipping and maritime safety, among others, he said. – The Vibes, May 19, 2021
