RM10.5 mln for drainage upgrade

By Florence Genta SIBU: The state government has allocated RM10.5 million to the Sibu Shipbuilding Association for the implementation of project to upgrade road shoulders and the drainage system at the Shipbuilding Industrial Estate in Rantau Panjang. Assistant Minister for Industrial Development (Investment and Promotion) Datuk Haji Julaihi Narawi said the shipbuilding industrial estate in Rantau Panjang had 18 shipyards over an area of 310 acres. According to Julaihi, the government is giving attention to the upgrading project, which should be implemented without delay with early stage works have been carried out and expected to be completed within a year. “If the upgrading project is not carried out, water will not flow out smoothly and this can cause flash floods. “Flash floods have been hitting this area, causing water to enter factories. We have visited this area several time,” he said, adding that the allocation was requested by the association. Jualihi told reporters this during his site visit to the Shipbuilding Industrial Estate in Rantau Panjang here, yesterday. He also said that Sarawak had facilities and world-class expertise in the shipbuilding industry. He said the shipbuilding industry in the state, majority in Sibu, contributed to as much as 80 per cent to the state’s economy. “In 2014, the shipbuilding industry in Sibu was worth RM2.8 billion and was the fifth contributor after oil and gas, palm oil and logging,” he said. He said the government would continue to provide proper assistance to the shipbuilding industry so that the industry could continue to grow. “A lot of ships built in Sibu were exported to other countries, including Central Asia, Africa and Indonesia, therefore making shipbuilding industry very important,” he said. Julaihi also said the shipbuilding industry in Sibu had moved to the shipbuilding industrial estate in Rantau Panjang more than 10 years ago. “In terms of job opportunities, it provides 5,000 jobs, mostly for the locals. In the past, there were workers from Indonesia, and when they gained experience and training here, they retured to their own country and become skilled workers there. “This situation gives competition to the shipbuilding industry here because they (Indonesian workers) have been gained experience and training here,” he said. Julaihi also disclosed that the government had approved the area extension project for Rantau Panjang Industrial Estate Phase II with the scheme value of RM125 million. “The extension project, which has an area of 101 hectares (250 acres) and costing RM125 million, is expected to be implemented this year,” he said. Also present were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industrial Development (Investment and Promotion) Datu Liaw Soon Eng and the secretary of Sabah Sarawak Shipowners Association, Renco Yong.

DATUK Julaihi Narawi (sixth right) and members of his entourage during a photocall in front of a landing craft currently undergoing construction at the Shipbuiding Industrial Estate in Rantau Panjang in Sibu.

SIBU: The state government has allocated RM10.5 million to the Sibu Shipbuilding Association for the implementation of project to upgrade road shoulders and the drainage system at the Shipbuilding Industrial Estate in Rantau Panjang.

Assistant Minister for Industrial Development (Investment and Promotion) Datuk Haji Julaihi Narawi said the shipbuilding industrial estate in Rantau Panjang had 18 shipyards over an area of 310 acres.

According to Julaihi, the government is giving attention to the upgrading project, which should be implemented without delay with early stage works have been carried out and expected to be completed within a year.

“If the upgrading project is not carried out, water will not flow out smoothly and this can cause flash floods.

“Flash floods have been hitting this area, causing water to enter factories. We have visited this area several time,” he said, adding that the allocation was requested by the association.

Jualihi told reporters this during his site visit to the Shipbuilding Industrial Estate in Rantau Panjang here, yesterday.

He also said that Sarawak had facilities and world-class expertise in the shipbuilding industry.

He said the shipbuilding industry in the state, majority in Sibu, contributed to as much as 80 per cent to the state’s economy.

“In 2014, the shipbuilding industry in Sibu was worth RM2.8 billion and was the fifth contributor after oil and gas, palm oil and logging,” he said. He said the government would continue to provide proper assistance to the shipbuilding industry so that the industry could continue to grow.

“A lot of ships built in Sibu were exported to other countries, including Central Asia, Africa and Indonesia, therefore making shipbuilding industry very important,” he said.

Julaihi also said the shipbuilding industry in Sibu had moved to the shipbuilding industrial estate in Rantau Panjang more than 10 years ago.

“In terms of job opportunities, it provides 5,000 jobs, mostly for the locals. In the past, there were workers from Indonesia, and when they gained experience and training here, they retured to their own country and become skilled workers there.

“This situation gives competition to the shipbuilding industry here because they (Indonesian workers) have been gained experience and training here,” he said.

Julaihi also disclosed that the government had approved the area extension project for Rantau Panjang Industrial Estate Phase II with the scheme value of RM125 million.

“The extension project, which has an area of 101 hectares (250 acres) and costing RM125 million, is expected to be implemented this year,” he said.

Also present were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industrial Development (Investment and Promotion) Datu Liaw Soon Eng and the secretary of Sabah Sarawak Shipowners Association, Renco Yong.