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Minister says will consider state gov’t taking over PD jetty operations
Published:  May 23, 2019 3:31 PM
Updated: 9:19 AM

Putrajaya is willing to work with the Negeri Sembilan government to “optimise” the use of the Port Dickson jetty in developing tourism in the state.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the federal government was even willing to consider allowing the state government to take over management of the jetty operations.

However, he said the state must first submit a “comprehensive proposal” on its development plans.

Loke said the jetty has received a lot of attention of late with the docking of several large cruise ships, some of which were unable to dock at Malacca.

He said this, in turn, caught the attention of the Pakatan Harapan-led Negeri Sembilan government, which suggested upgrading the jetty and expanding to allow for a larger volume of arriving passengers.

“Because each time the cruise ship docks, the ship will bring in thousands of passengers. If we can attract passengers to disembark, walk around and spend, this will develop the local economic sector, especially in Port Dickson.

“As for the federal government, especially the Transport Ministry… we want to uncover the potential of any location in which there are strategic facilities such as ports and jetties," he said.

“This morning, we received a briefing from the Marine Department. I call on the state government to give a more comprehensive proposal paper to the Transport Ministry on whether the state government wishes to operate or take over the management and operations of the jetty. 

"We can discuss the direction to be taken,” the minister said during a press conference at the jetty earlier today. A recording of the press conference was made available to Malaysiakini.

The minister, along with several state excos and Marine Department director-general Baharin Abdul Hamid had visited the jetty to inspect the facilities available there.

Loke, the Seremban MP, said cooperation between the federal and state governments could also apply to the development of a reserved land situated next to the old jetty in Port Dickson.

He said Putrajaya would discuss the development of a “tourism product” with the Negeri Sembilan government on the land, which belongs to the Railway Assets Corporation.

Port Dickson’s location along the Straits of Malacca and its proximity to Kuala Lumpur and KLIA, he added, afforded it an advantage.

Loke said this is added to the fact that PKR president and Port Dickson lawmaker Anwar Ibrahim is able to attract investors to the constituency.

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