KUALA LUMPUR: Kuantan Port will serve as an important base for trade with China as well as the coastal areas of Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said the expansion of Kuantan Port is timely as most of Malaysia’s development has been concentrated on the west coast. The project, developed under a twin-city programme with China, is expected to elevate the east coast as a new growth hub.
"Yes, it needs to be expanded. I think it is wise because the traditional ports are already spending,” he told CGTN anchor Zheng Junfeng in an interview recently.
Anwar noted that Port Klang is now ranked among the world’s top 10 ports, while two other Malaysian ports are also climbing in global standings.
"For Malaysia, a relatively small country, this is a remarkable feat,” he said.
He added that the potential for Kuantan Port is huge, as it will transform an area that was previously marginalised into an important growth centre.
On June 10, 2024, Kuantan Port signed an agreement with Malaysian Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) to collaborate on the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), enabling freight transport to shift from road to rail through the port. The ECRL spur line, which will connect directly to Kuantan Port, is expected to improve the movement of goods and boost connectivity and efficiency between Malaysia’s east and west coasts.- Bernama
