DAP: Explain status of tuna port

THE Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) has been asked to explain what has happened to the tuna port in Batu Maung, Penang.

Wong Hon Wai (DAP-Air Itam) said he had read reports that Kedah would soon emerge as an international fisheries centre especially for tuna in South-East Asia through the establishment of the Kedah Integrated Fishery Terminal.

“What is the status of the tuna port in Penang? An agreement was signed between Malaysian International Tuna Port Sdn Bhd (MITP) and LKIM in 2004.

“It provides for MITP to be the concessionaire for the tuna port with a 32-year concession.

“The project was approved in 2004 but only two buildings were built on the 25 acres of land,” Wong said.

The agreement reportedly gave MITP the right to develop, manage, operate and maintain the tuna port.

Wong said LKIM had a 40% stake in MITP while the rest of the equity was owned by Bindforce Sdn Bhd.

“It was a three-phase project but it was cancelled when it reached phase two even though millions of ringgit had been spent on this project,” he said when debating the state’s Budget during the State Assembly on Wednesday.