Media conference statement by Chow Kon Yeow and Penang DAP Members of Parliament in Parliament on Wednesday, 20^th June 2012:

No to privatisation of Penang port

Penang DAP welcomes the latest position taken by Penang Barisan Nasional Chairman Teng Chang Yeow on one of the most pressing economic question faced by the businesses and people of Penang - that of the privitisation of Penang port.

Teng's stance is one month late but better than never.

When pressed by the media on 20th May 2012, Teng Chang Yeow refused to state his position on Penang Port's privatisation as, according to him, "the port is not within his purview".

After burying himself in the sand for a month, he has now shifted his position after being pressured by the DAP.

Apart from "sending a delegation to the Prime Minister", we call on Teng Chang Yeow to be unequivocal and join the DAP on its campaign to "Return the Port to Penang." We also call on Teng Chang Yeow to support the call for the Federal government to commit to the dredging of Penang Port immediately.

The dredging programme, which costs RM353 million, was stalled after MCA President Chua Soi Lek became Penang Port Commission Chairman in November 2010. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin suggested in April 2010 that a plan to dredge the port "complements Penang Port's RM1.1. billion investment pledged under PPSB's expansion and business improvement plan 2008-2012 to cater for the development brought on by the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), thus enhancing its attractiveness as the port of call for the northern region and possibly the Bay of Bengal."

Former MCA President Ong Tee Keat also accused Chua Soi Lek of promoting the privitisation scheme by Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary.

It is understood that Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar-owned Seaport Terminal (Johore) Sdn Bhd may do the following measures which are not only detrimental to Penang's interests but caused economic woes for the state.

1. Seaport Terminal may request for the final price of the Penang Port to be reduced from RM450 million to RM150 million, in exchange for the Government NOT to dredge the Penang Port Channel that would cost RM350 million;

2. As Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar also owns PTP and Johor Port, there is a plan to rationalise the two ports, which means closure of container port of Johor Port. Seaport Terminal may bring the seven units of Super Port Panamax cranes from Penang to PTP and may bring the six quay cranes in Johor Port to place it in Penang. Essentially, Seaport Terminal may potentially engage in asset stripping.

3. And since the smaller cranes are unable to handle the 4000 TEUs and above vessel, hence Seaport Terminal may not dredge the Penang port eventually.

As far as stopping the privatisation of Penang port is concerned, the ball is at the court of Prime Minister cum Finance Minister Najib Razak. However, Teng Chang Yeow, Chua Soi Lek and even Deputy Prime Minister Muhyidin Yassin owe Malaysians especially the people of Penang an explanation.

* Lim Guan Eng, MP for Bagan
Chow Kon Yeow, MP for Tanjong
Chong Eng, MP for Bukit Mertajam
Jeff Ooi, MP for Jelutong
Liew Chin Tong, MP for Bukit Bendera