GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Port Commission (PPC) will not be affected by the development of a new port in Yan, Kedah.
PPC chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said the port which was gazetted as a federal port last May is no competition for PPC.
Tan said that Yan Port would only handle oil and gas operations, whereas the PPC handled all types of cargo activities.
“If we want to talk about competition, I am confident that the new port in Yan will not be Penang’s competitor because our port activities are different.
“In fact, PPC welcomes the existence of a new port in Kedah because it promises development to our country’s import and export sector,” he told The Vibes today.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong had in May announced the gazetting of Yan district as a federal port, covering 600 square kilometres of water taking into account a distance of about 20 nautical miles from the coast.
The development of the port is expected to increase shipping activities and create employment opportunities as well as develop the surrounding districts.
It is expected to be developed by a shipping company owned by tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary, who also owns land on Dayang Bunting Island in Yan.
However, following the declaration, Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor reportedly said that he would propose the establishment of the Kedah Port Authority to manage the port in the future.
This includes taking over various existing ports, some of which are currently under the Penang Port Commission (PPC), such as the Teluk Ewa jetty in Langkawi.
Commenting on this, Tan said it was subject to the discretion of the federal government to make a decision, and PPC would not give any impediment.
“Teluk Ewa Port is not a big port, and if it wants to be segregated, we expect it will not affect PPC’s revenue. Whatever it is, it is up to the Transport Ministry to decide,” he said. – The Vibes, July 13, 2021
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