Go-ahead for Carey Island feasibility study

According to The Edge Markets, Mr Loke said that Port Klang Authority (PKA) will be asked to commission the study on the need for another port near Port Klang’s Westports and Northport.

Speaking at a news conference, the minister said that Malaysia’s government no longer operates ports and that the private sector will gain the concession, but the government will drive the feasibility studies.

“Right now, [the project] is actually at a very initial stage,” he explained.

“There was no approval given by the previous government for a third port.”

Mr Loke said that if it is approved, the Carey Island port will be driven by private initiative — but he also noted that no proposal nor quotation from any of the organisations on the venture had been received.

Meanwhile, PKA general manager Capt Subramaniam Karuppiah was positive about Port Klang’s need to expand, though the costs, timing and scale will require examination.

“We have to move forward. Development of ports is a long-term initiative,” he said.

“[However,] any decision will go through the government, and we are keen to conduct the study.”

It is understood the development will happen along with a maritime city on the island that features free trade zones, industrial parks and commercial and residential buildings.

Tech possibility

Mr Loke additionally said that Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport will commence a separate study to see whether there is a necessity for a second Digital Free Trade Zone.

The minister said that his ministry wishes to drive the Port Klang Free Zone’s (PKFZ) development and can then explore the viability of extending PKFZ’s operations to include an area of this kind.

“A very initial discussion has been initiated between PKA and [the] Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation, but there is no concrete decision as of now,” he said.

“The trade ministry has not received any proposal so far.”