THE Finance Ministry is studying an application for licence from a company to build an offshore port that will serve the oil rig in Kuala Kemasin, Kelantan.
Deputy Finance Minister Senator Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said the application was reasonable considering that only one such port existed currently in Kemaman, Terengganu.
“This can cause congestion and such a situation can be overcome if a port could be built in Kuala Kemasin,” he told reporters at a Buka Puasa dinner with non-government organisations at his residence in Bachok on Saturday.
Dr Awang, who is also Umno chief for Bachok division, said the site for the project has already been approved by the state government.
Building the port in the area will be highly strategic considering its proximity to the oil rig operating in Terengganu, he said.
It will also be close to the oil rigs on international waters and which are joint ventures between Malaysia and Thailand and Malaysia and Vietnam.
Dr Awang said the economic effects on local people would be great especially for fishermen who will be able to carry out their fish trading business.
The private sector, meanwhile, will be able to develop residential units at the port to cater to employees working there.
“I fully support the application,” he said. – Bernama
