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The
Federal Government should seriously consider
restoring Penang’s free-port status, given the
decline in container traffic.
The 24% decline was a warning for the Finance
Ministry to inject fresh funds and new ideas
into Penang Port Sdn Bhd, said Chief Minister
Lim Guan Eng.
He said such a move was needed to save the port,
which reported the decline in the second quarter
of the year, when all others in the country
recorded increases.
“The Marine Department revealed that Malaysian
ports handled 10% more containers in the second
quarter of the year compared to the first,
reflecting a recovery in both domestic and
transhipment cargo,” he said in a statement
yesterday.
“However, Penang Port was the only one showing a
decline.”
He said the time had come to take bold steps to
introduce creativity, and innovative methodology
and management to revive Penang Port.
“With the Penang Port Commission’s promised
completion of the Swettenham Pier by this month
remaining unfulfilled, the ministry should
intervene and actively engage in the activities
at Penang Port.”
Source: The STAR NATION
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