A company owned by business tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary has won the bid for the privatisation of Penang Port, the Transport Ministry has confirmed.

NONE "Syarikat Seaport Terminal (Johor) Sdn Bhd is the winning bidder for the proposal to privatise the Penang Port through direct equity holdings in Penang Port Sdn Bhd,” it said in a written parliamentary reply to Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam, right ).

"One of the requirements that will be specified in the privatisation agreement is for the winning bidder to bear the cost of dredging works at the Penang Port.”

Negotiations with Syarikat Seaport Terminal are continuing, it added, on the exact terms of the agreement.

At a press conference in the Parliament lobby today, Chong repeated the DAP’s concerns that the government has awarded the deal without conducting an open tender exercise.

She pointed out that this is just one of many government assets being given over to companies owned by Syed Mokhtar, who is seen to be close to BN leaders.

"The prime minister must explain," she stressed.

The DAP had raised the issue of dredging works out of concern that Syed Mokhtar would neglect to maintain and improve Penang Port, since he also owns the Johor port operations.

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