PORT KLANG, Selangor: The construction of the Melaka International Cruise Jetty, part of the Melaka Gateway project, has not started and the approvals have lapsed, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
“The construction of the Melaka International Cruise Jetty has not started. The technical approvals given by the Department of Environment and Department of Irrigation and Drainage accorded to KAJ Development, in 2016, have also lapsed,” he said.
“Although the Melaka Gateway development is under the purview of Melaka Port Authority, its operations comes under the jurisdiction of Port Klang Authority,” he added.
Loke was speaking to reporters after a working visit to Port Klang Authority office here today.
Also present were Deputy Transport Minister Kamarudin Jaffar, Transport Ministry secretary general Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim, Klang Member of the Parliament Charles Santiago and PKA general manager Capt Subramaniam Karuppiah.
It was reported the RM40 billion Melaka Gateway, near Pulau Melaka, is being developed by KAJ Development Sdn Bhd and is the largest man-made island project in southeast Asia.
Among planned facilities are a marina for yachts, luxury condominiums, bungalows with private marina, tourist eco-parks, theme parks and ports for cruise ships.
To another query if the government is keen on pushing ahead with the RM140 billion third port in Klang, on Carey Island, Loke replied, “there are no approvals for this project, as of todate.
“Having said this, the government welcomes private sector driven development proposals that would enhance Port Klang’s competitiveness.”
Loke went on to say MMC Corp Bhd's proposal for the Carey Island port development will be tabled in the Parliament in the near future.
Only after the Parliament approves, will the feasibility studies be conducted, he added.
Loke added that the while the upgrade to Westports has received principle approval from the previous government, certain technical studies will still need to be conducted before the project can move forward.
“We will have an open tender to select independent consultants to carry out feasibility studies on this planned third port at Carey Island,” Loke said.
It was previously reported the Carey Island Port, would see infrastructure investments of more than RM200 billion in the next 20 years.