Thesun 2009-06-08 Page04 Rm1b Plan To Deepen Penang Port Channel

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theSun

| MONDAY JUNE 8 2009

news without borders

by Himanshu Bhatt [email protected]

GEORGE TOWN: The Transport Ministry plans to expand Penang Port by deepening its channel at an estimated cost of RM1 billion, as part of its programme to enliven the state’s economy. Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the project was critical to “determining the lifeline of Penang Port”, which currently operates only as a feeder port despite its “glorious past”. The announcement follows a recent move to extend a federal airline services liberalisation policy to Penang in a measure aimed at spurring the state’s economy. Ong had announced last week that the Penang International Airport would be allowed increased regional links, including a record 84 flights a week between Penang

RM1b plan to deepen Penang Port channel and Singapore by next year. The ministry was studying whether a project to deepen the channel could be financed by a privately funded initiative. While a preliminary study had already been conducted, the results of detailed geotechnical and environmental assessments were pending, Ong said. He said the channel’s current depth of 9-11m made it impossible for large vessels to use the port. “That is our loss. We need to increase the port’s competitiveness.”

The target is to deepen the channel to up to 15-17m. Ong said the project would be implemented in line with the ministry’s overall focus on ports throughout the country. Plans to build breakwaters and conduct dredging at the Kuantan Port have already been drawn up, he added. Ong, who is also MCA president, spoke at a press conference after officiating the party’s 60th anniversary celebrations at the TAR College here. He stressed that Penang industries needed the help of

both the Transport and Tourism Ministries. “We want to draw more tourists with air links to Penang, while making it convenient and attractive for investors to work here.” Ong said he had brought up with Chinese authorities the issue of better tourism links to Penang, most recently when he accompanied Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak on an official trip to China last week. On a reported proposal for the state government to take over the operations of the crosschannel ferry service, now run by Penang Port Sdn Bhd at a loss, Ong said the ministry needed to study its feasibility. He also said the ministry was open to feedback and proposals, including from the state government. “What we want is healthy competition. At the end of the day, the people will benefit.”

No new H1N1 case by Giam Say Khoon

ministry at 03-8881 0200/0300 between 8am and 9pm.” As at midnight Saturday, PETALING JAYA: No new he said, the ministry had confirmed case of the A registered 20 suspected H1N1 (H1N1) flu has been reported patients, 16 of whom tested as at midnight Saturday, after negative. Results for the four a seventh case was detected others were pending. earlier in the day. To date, 479 suspected Health Ministry director-gencases have been registered, eral Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican with seven people confirmed said in a statement yesterday to have H1N1. five patients confirmed to have “Health screening continthe flu “reported on Wednesues at the 53 international day, Thursday and Friday, were entry points to the country in stable condition and recover- by air, land and sea. A total of ing”. He said 153 people placed 17,346 people were screened under home quarantine after on Saturday and five were coming into contact with the referred to hospitals for further patients had yet to show any examination,” Ismail said. symptoms of “Students abroad H1N1. who are returning for the latest, log on to: “We are for the summer www.moh.gov.my still trying to holiday and with locate pasflu symptoms are sengers who advised to postpone boarded the same flights and their trip. Those already in the might have come into contact country and having symptoms, with the seven patients. do seek immediate medical “As for the seventh case, attention,” he said, adding that we urge all passengers who the public should continue to boarded AirAsia X flight D7 practise good hygiene. 2723 on June 5, especially Ismail said the World Health those who sat up to three rows Organisation had recorded a from the front, back, left and total of 22,122 cases in 69 right of seat 31A, to contact the countries, with 125 deaths. [email protected]

NUBE probe nears end PETALING JAYA: The Human Resources Ministry is expected to wrap up its investigation into alleged irregularities at the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) soon. A senior ministry official told theSun the probe into the alleged misappropriation of funds, non-cooperation in providing audited accounts, irregularities in the purchase of the union building in Brickfields and the sale of a plot of land, had reached its tail-end. He declined to reveal the ministry’s findings to date, but said these would be forwarded to the respective authorities such as the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Com-

mission (MACC), in the event of any evidence of wrongdoing. “Give us some time. We will be transparent and leave no stone unturned,” he said. The official said the probe was initiated following several complaints by NUBE members. “We received more than a dozen complaints from union members and some furnished relevant documents.” He said the complainants had initially asked the Department of Trade Union Affairs to look into the matter. The department, which comes under the purview of the ministry, is authorised to carry out statutory inspections on trade unions at their head-

quarters and branches. theSun first reported on March 19 that the MACC had reopened investigation files on the NUBE for the alleged misuse of funds and graft. NUBE has denied reports of corruption or irregularities in its financial accounts and transactions. “All our dealings, thus far, have been transparent and above board,” its general-secretary J. Solomon was quoted as saying. Several union members later sent a letter of protest to Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam and an official complaint to the Public Complaints Bureau, alleging abuse of power by the department’s director-general.