MARANG: Terengganu’s impending multi-million new commercial port in Marang is expected to offer a multitude of jobs, including for military veterans, and spur tremendous economic growth for the east-coast state.
State Industrial and Commerce committee chairman Datuk Tengku Putera Tengku Awang, who is also Kuala Berang state assemblyman, said that the Terengganu government was in talks with several parties, including national oil corporation Petronas, to develop Marang into an international-class port.
“This is in view of the huge demand from the shipping industry, especially from Petronas, to provide maintenance, repair, supplies, husbanding and transportation services. You must understand that there are thousands of vessels plying the South China Sea, let alone the Gulf of Thailand and its surrounding region.
“Thus, without a proper port, billions of ringgit worth of shipping services go to ports like Singapore as other regional ports like Kemaman (or even Kuatan) are operating up to their maximum capacity, with available resources,” he said this at the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association of Terengganu’s annual general meeting at the Terengganu Equestrian Resort in Kuala Ibai.
Present were national association president Admiral (Rtd) Senator Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Noor and its state president Abdullah Che Muda. Marang presently offers a jetty for fishing and ferries for the diving resorts in Kapas and Gemia islands.
Tengku Putera added that federal government supported Terengganu’s implementation of the special economic zone that offers rapid development of resources and facilities 80km from the state capital.
“The development of such facilities offshore, on the coastline and inland will, thus, provide experienced, competent and skillful military veterans tremendous job and business opportunities which they can, then, contribute towards boosting the state’s economy. “The special economy zone also encompasses other industries like agriculture, oil and gas, tourism and fishing. Thus, developing the Marang port will also encourage import-export activities to the region, which is rapidly growing thanks to the Eact Coast Highway project,” said Tengku Putera. Meanwhile, Mohd Anwar welcomed the opportunities offered to veterans by the special economic zone: “Many of the veterans are still youthful and haven’t seen the best of their years yet.
