By Amar Shah Mohsen
SHAH ALAM, Oct 5 – Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated), or MBI, is targeting European Union (EU) certification for its new fishing port and processing plant in Sungai Lang, which is one of the large-scale projects under the Sabak Bernam Development Area (Sabda) initiative.
MBI economic and financial division chief Zannifa Azura Ahmad said this is key in ensuring the facility meets the highest possible standard and to promote the district as a key economic development zone.
She said the EU certification is also necessary as the port, which is currently under construction, is expected to welcome large vessels plying the Indian Ocean.
“We are planning to bring in tuna and deep sea fish, so certainly the vessels that will dock (at the Sungai Lang port) will not be ordinary ships,” she said during an Agenda Awani programme last night.
“In terms of the design and architecture, and its facilities, we have to meet EU standards, as this will then attract foreign investors.”
Previously, it was reported that MBI will collaborate with Alpha Ocean Resources Bhd (AORB) for the implementation of the massive project, as well as the development of the country’s first tuna and deep sea fish processing packaging facility.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari had said, on June 22, that the two projects are expected to draw RM600 million in investment to the state and open up about 7,000 job opportunities within the next decade.
According to Zannifa Azura, the port construction is projected to be completed within 10 years of its commencement, but stopped short of providing specific dates.
She added that AORB is also expected to invest RM100 million for the first phase of the project.
Improving Sekinchan’s fishing industry
Separately, Zannifa Azura said the development of Malaysia’s first integrated fish landing port in Sekinchan, which will be focused on helping local fishing industry players, will have spillover effects on the community.
This will be achieved by expanding and deepening the river there to allow the landing of more fish catches.
She predicts the total catches are expected to increase by 300 per cent within the next 10 years once the project is completed.
“By expanding the river, we expect 1,300 tonnes in fish catches each day, and that 400 boats can dock daily. At present, only about 200 small fishing boats can enter and dock in Sekinchan.
“From our projection, in the next 10 years, the catches can increase by about 300 per cent, while the revenue from downstream products will increase by 20 per cent each year over the next decade.
Sabda is a state project under the First Selangor Plan (RS-1) involving the development of high-value crops across a 1,317-hectare area. It is expected to yield RM248 million in annual revenue.
Zannifa Azura said the mega project in northern Selangor is one of three state economic corridors identified by the state government, and is focused on improving food security.
She said the two other economic corridors – the central region involving the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) project and southern region involving the Integrated Development Region in South Selangor (Idriss) – will respectively focus on water security and aviation.
“In the central zone, along the Sungai Klang, for example, there is an overflow of water during rainy seasons, yet there is insufficient supply during hot spells. This will be one of the issues we will look to tackle. We want to ensure consistent water supply.
“As for the southern zone, aviation is the main theme, and our projects are ongoing in locations like Sepang and Kuala Langat,” she said, adding that the construction of the Pulau Carey port is also part of efforts to develop the southern region.
