Media conference statement by Chow Kon Yeow in George Town, Penang on Friday, 15^th June 2012:

"Return the Port to Penang" campaign

DAP Penang hereby to announce the launch of "Return the Port to Penang" campaign.

We invite the people of Penang who wish to see a vibrant Penang Port and a dynamic Penang's economy to join us to call on:-

1. The Cabinet to revoke its decision on 25th November 2011 to privatise Penang Port Sdn Bhd to Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary's Seaport Terminal (Johore) Sdn Bhd so that the latter does not turn Penang Port into a feeder port for his other privatise ports;

2. The Barisan Nasional Federal Government to dredge the channel immediately, as it was promised in the 9th and the 10th Malaysia Plan, to a depth that allows big vessels of 4000 TEUs (Twenty foot Equivalent Unit) and above to call the port;

3. The Barisan Nasional Federal Government to transfer the ownership of the Penang Port to the Penang State Government which has the popular mandate of the people of Penang.

As far as Penang's economic future is concern, this is the most pressing and urgent issue, especially in light of the parliamentary reply to DAP MP for Bukit Mertajam Sdri Chong Eng which confirmed the privatisation of Penang Port to Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary's subsidiary, and that the cost for dredging is to be borne by the new owner.

Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar is unlikely to dredge the channel immediately as his game plan is to turn Penang Port into a feeder port for his other ports.

Penang's economic future requires Penang Port to be a regional port and transhipment hub which means cheaper shipment cost and more shipment routes for the Penang industries.

Penang is geographically located at of the Straits of Malacca entering the Bay of Bengal which is key to the India-China route and will also see the resurgence of Burma.

We must not allow Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar to turn our port into a feeder port to his ports elsewhere.

It's time that the people of Penang unite to send a strong message to the Barisan Nasional Federal Government - stop messing up with our port and our economy.

Return the Port to Penang!

* Chow Kon Yeow, Penang DAP Chairman & MP for Tanjong