SPECIALISED HUBS FOR MALACCAN PORTS

Malacca to turn seven ports into specialised hubs

Monday, 27 July 2015 

 

MALACCA: Efforts are underway to turn seven ports in Malacca into specialised hubs for various sectors to spur the state's economic development, the State Assembly was told on Monday. 

Malacca Transport and Project Rehabilitation Committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong said the project under the Malacca Port Development Masterplan entailed upgrading six existing ports besides building the Malacca Gateway Port. 

He said the Malacca Gateway Port would serve the tourism industry, while the six existing ports, namely Linggi Port would cater for the industrial sector, Sungai Udang Port (military), Tangga Batu Port (oil and gas industry), Tanjung Bruas Port (cargo and containers), Umbai Port (fishing industry), and Sungai Rambai Port (mining and mineral). 

The development of the ports under the masterplan, spanning over 73 km along the shore of the Straits of Malacca, will enhance the Malacca's waterway system, he said when responding to an oral question from Datuk Ghazale Muhammad (BN-Rim). 

"We have studied the advantages of specialising each port according to the sectors chosen under the masterplan in line with our strives to spur the state's economic activities and relive the glory of Malacca Port of the 15th century," he said. 

Lim said the efforts would boost investments and economic activities in various sectors, including industrial, manufacturing and tourism, apart from creating plenty of jobs as each port would have a comprehensive infrastructure," he said. 

To a supplementary question from Sazali Muhd Din @ Muhamad Din (BN-Paya Rumput), Lim said local and maritime authorities would monitor the existence of illegal jetties along the Malacca coastline to thwart smuggling and illegal entries of immigrants.- Bernama

ELECTRIC BUSES TO PLY MELAKA IN AUGUST 2015

Electric buses to hit the road in Malacca in August 2015 Bernama State Transport and Project Rehabilitation Committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong says a fully-charged electric bus can travel as far as 180km. — Pic credit http://www.skyscrapercity.com/ MALACCA, July 3, 2015:

Two electric buses are expected to start operating around the Unesco world heritage site in Banda Hilir here in early August.

State Transport and Project Rehabilitation Committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong said the “hop-on hop-off” bus service would be operating with a one-price ticket system.

“The buses will be the first electric buses to be used in Malaysia on public roads and we believe it will help reduce traffic congestion, air and noise pollution.

“For a start, these buses will operate around the Unesco world heritage site and passengers will be using a one-day ticket at a certain price,” he told a press conference here today.

Also present was Panorama Melaka Sdn Bhd general manager Mohd Saleh Jusman.

The electric bus service will operate under the state government’s subsidiary company.

Lim said the two buses were among 40 electric buses expected to be fully operational in the state by the end of next year.

“We will receive in stages another 38 electric buses from Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation in China from early next year.”

Lim said a fully-charged bus could travel as far as 180km and the battery would take 100 minutes to recharge. It can travel at a maximum speed of 76kph.

The 33-seater bus has one seat for the disabled and is also equipped with nine CCTV cameras. Lim said a charging station had been built at the Melaka Sentral Bus Terminal for the electric buses.

MALACCA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SEEKS AIRLINES TO LAND IN MELAKA

Malacca airport seeks flights to Guangzhou and Ho Chi Minh City Thursday, 2 July 2015

MALACCA: Malacca International Airport (LTAM) is discussing with the airline companies to use the airport to fly to Guangzhou, China and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

State Transport and Project Rehabilitation Committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong, said LTAM was also eyeing Medan, Palembang and Surabaya in Indonesia.

"So far the discussions are positive," he told a media briefing here yesterday.

Currently, Malindo Air flies from LTAM to Kota Baru, Penang and Pekan Baru, Indonesia.

Lim said that LTAM recorded 24,616 passenger departures and 28,275 arrivals since the commencement of Malindo Air's operations on Nov 5, 2014 until May 15 this year.

Lim said that the state government planned to launch flights to various Unesco sites.

He said among them were ngkor Wat in Cambodia, Borobudur in Indonesia and Luang Prabang in Laos.

He said that the proposal was also in line with Malaysia taking over chairmanship of Asean.

In addition to this, Lim said that Malacca, an Unesco heritage site, was working to promote ties with other sites.

"This will allow tourists to LTAM as the gateway to other Unesco heritage sites in other Asean member countries," he said. – Bernama

VATICAN IMPRESSED WITH MALACCA MODERATION POLICY

Vatican is impressed with Malacca's moderation policy: Archbishop

MALACCA - The Vatican is impressed with Malacca's policy of promoting moderation and harmonious living among its various ethnic groups.

The Vatican's Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia Archbishop Joseph Marino said the Holy See had a high regard for such approaches.

"This is an exemplary state. We admire Malacca for ensuring racial unity with minimal issues on race relations," he said after calling on State Secretary Datuk Wira Nain Abu Bakar at Seri Negeri here yesterday.

Marino, who was posted as the Vatican's first resident Apostolic Nuncio here in 2013, visited the Portuguese Settlement here where he witnessed the Festa San Juan (feast of St John the Baptist) which is celebrated with much religious fervour and reverence.

About 14 Roman Catholic priests gathered there to welcome the Vatican's representative.

Joseph Sta Maria, who is the representative of minority ethnic communities under social service unit Pembela, described Archbishop Marino's visit to the historical city as most significant to the Roman Catholic community here.

"He was brought to various historical sites. The prayers at the Portuguese Settlement meant a lot to all of us," he said.

Sta Maria said the Archbishop also visited the 466-year-old ruins of the ancient Rosary Chapel (Ermida de Rosario) at Jalan Bunga Raya Pantai along Sungai Malacca.

Malaysia established diplomatic relations with the Vatican following a meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Pope Benedict XVI in July 2011.

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