By Liew Chin Tong
According to Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai, the Federal Government has agreed in principle to the Chinese initiative to develop a deep-sea port and Ocean Industrial Park at Malacca Gateway as part of its backing for the “One Belt, One Road” vision by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Malacca Gateway is a project by KAJ Development Sdn Bhd which plans to reclaim three islands with a gross development value of RM40 billion.
Liow and the Federal Government should answer the following concerns of Malaysians:
FIRST: Has the concession to operate a port already been issued, and to whom? Will the concession be granted to a Malaysian-owned company or a China-owned company? To what extent will China’s interest be involved?
SECOND: What is the impact of Malacca Gateway Port on other ports, particularly the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Port Klang, given their proximity?
THIRD: What would the impact be on MMC’s Tanjong Bruas plan? Or has the Tanjong Bruas plan been scrapped?
FOURTH: What is the business plan for Malacca Gateway Port? Where is the cargo coming from? Will the project end-up as a White Elephant like Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port which has limited cargo coming its way and a huge debt owing to China that the Sri Lankan Government finds difficult to repay?
FIFTH: Can the Government guarantee that the port will never be used to further China’s military interests?
I hereby await Liow’s reply.