Penang plans RM300mil tuna port in Bagan Ajam
State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said the government has identified an area in Bagan Ajam for the new tuna port and discussions are already underway.
"The state has earmarked land in Bagan Ajam for the development of the new port, with an estimated development budget of RM150 million to RM300 million.
"We are currently in talks with several investors for funding," he said.
He added that, based on the timeline, the port could be completed within one-and-a-half to two years, pending technical approval from the District Land Office and other relevant agencies, as well as private sector allocation.
"We hope the new port can revive the glory days of Penang's tuna industry, much like the 1990s," he told Bernama today.
Fahmi highlighted several benefits of the new port, including its exclusive focus on tuna fishing, meaning tuna vessels will not have to compete for docking space with commercial ships.
The port will also offer lower charges, as it will not operate on a commercial basis.
Regarding competition, he said that tuna ships would not need to compete for docking space because the new port would be dedicated solely to tuna landings.
It is expected to attract foreign tuna ships due to its user-friendly facilities.
The new port will meet European Union (EU) standards and will include special facilities tailored specifically for tuna fishing, unlike existing ports, which offer general facilities and lack focus on tuna landings.
"According to preliminary data from the Malaysian Fisheries Department, the total tuna landings in Penang last year were 431,000kg, valued at RM7.758 million.
"The main landing point is currently the Butterworth deep-water wharf," Fahmi said.
He also noted that Malaysian vessels had landed tuna in Mauritius last year, with a total of 4,295,758kg of tuna, including 3,749,478kg from local vessels.
So far this year, the total tuna landings in Penang, including foreign vessels, have reached 1,445,120 kg, with an estimated value of RM26 million.
Fahmi believes that with the dedicated tuna port in Bagan Ajam, tuna landings could increase by 30 to 50 per cent within five years of its operation.
He also envisions Penang becoming a tuna processing hub, where foreign vessels can land their catch for processing before exporting it to Taiwan or Japan.– BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
16 minutes ago
- Sinar Daily
Many unaware tax arrears can lead to travel bans overseas
Travel bans may be imposed on individuals or company directors, whether citizens or foreigners, who have outstanding income tax, Real Property Gains Tax, or company tax, particularly if a director owns at least 20 percent of the company's shares. 13 Aug 2025 10:16am HASiL does not impose travel restrictions immediately. Instead, taxpayers receive reminder letters and emails and are contacted by phone before any action is taken. - Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR - Deputy Director-General of the Revenue Collection Department at the Inland Revenue Board (HASiL), Azaharuddin Mohd Ali, highlighted that many people do not realise unpaid taxes can lead to travel bans overseas. He advised the public to check their travel restriction status on the official websites of the Immigration Department or the MyTax Portal before planning any trips, to avoid inconvenience. Azaharuddin explained that travel bans may be imposed on individuals or company directors, whether citizens or foreigners, who have outstanding income tax, Real Property Gains Tax, or company tax, particularly if a director owns at least 20 percent of the company's shares. "HASiL can enforce restrictions under Section 104 of the Income Tax Act 1967 if the individual fails to settle their arrears and does not cooperate, despite being given multiple opportunities through initial enforcement actions,' he said. He discussed the issue during an interview with Bernama Radio yesterday, in the segment titled 'Tak Lepas Ke Luar Negara: Adakah Cukai Puncanya?' (Denied Travel Abroad: Is Tax the Cause?). Azaharuddin explained that HASiL does not impose travel restrictions immediately. Instead, taxpayers receive reminder letters and emails and are contacted by phone before any action is taken. Regarding the lifting of travel bans, he said full payment of outstanding taxes must be made before an application for cancellation can be submitted. However, temporary relief may be granted if a partial payment of the arrears is made. "Temporary relief can be requested for up to three months, depending on the agreed payment terms with HASiL. "Taxpayers must ensure that the remaining outstanding taxes are fully settled within the agreed installment period and rates,' he added. Since March 4, Azaharuddin said taxpayers can apply online to lift travel restrictions via the e-Travel Restriction Cancellation service on the MyTax portal. Applications meeting the eligibility criteria will be processed within five working days. Azaharuddin also reminded people that travel restrictions due to tax arrears not only involve legal consequences but can also harm a person's reputation, personal relationships and career. "The restrictions are not meant to embarrass anyone but serve as enforcement after several reminders. He advised taxpayers to keep track of their tax status and reach out to HASiL to arrange solutions like payment installments if they experience financial hardship. - BERNAMA
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysian firms urged to tap Cambodia market amid supply disruptions
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia-Cambodia Business Association (MCBA) has called on Malaysian businesses to seize emerging opportunities in Cambodia following supply chain disruptions caused by the recent Cambodia-Thailand border situation. MCBA said that although the situation has reached a ceasefire, the transportation of certain Thai products has been disrupted, with supply chains into Cambodia slowing significantly or coming to a halt. "While this development has disrupted Cambodia's market supply chains, it has also created new market opportunities for Malaysian businesses. "Cambodia is currently experiencing shortages in certain consumer goods, food products and industrial raw materials, and Malaysia holds clear advantages in terms of quality, pricing and supply stability," it said in a statement today. The association noted that during situations like this, some Thai investors may choose to withdraw from the Cambodian market, presenting an entry opportunity for Malaysian enterprises. MCBA president Datuk Seri Ricky Yaw said that despite the conflict, Cambodia's market fundamentals remain strong with promising growth potential. "Malaysian enterprises, with their flexible supply chains, broad industry coverage and quick response capabilities, are well positioned to seize this window of opportunity and gain a competitive edge in the regional market," he said. He urged Malaysian companies and entrepreneurs to promptly assess the Cambodian market and take proactive steps by offering alternative supplies and filling market gaps.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Repaying PTPTN loans a religious and moral duty
KUALA LUMPUR: Repaying debts, including education loans from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), is a religious obligation in Islam and should not be taken lightly. Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and a renowned preacher, emphasised that repaying debt is not merely a legal obligation but also a matter of trust and personal integrity. 'Islam mandates that we settle our debts and seek solutions to do so. It is not wrong to borrow for a good purpose like education, but deliberately avoiding repayment and shirking responsibility is unacceptable. 'Some pretend to forget or think the debt is no longer their concern once they finish their studies, even though they have signed an agreement to repay,' he said in a recent interview with Bernama. He explained that every PTPTN loan is intended to be recycled for future generations of students; therefore, repaying the loan is not only an individual's responsibility to the institution but also a duty to society and the nation. 'The government and PTPTN have helped us continue our education. Now, it's our turn to help future Malaysian generations by repaying what we have borrowed,' he said. Mohd Izhar Ariff said that borrowers should welcome PTPTN's loan restructuring initiatives, designed to ease repayment. 'We should be grateful to the government for introducing various initiatives to help students, both current and former borrowers, by allowing loans to be restructured or rescheduled according to their ability to pay,' he added. He explained that timely repayment brings many benefits and blessings, in line with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, who encouraged prompt debt settlement. 'This blessing is not only felt personally but also extends to one's children. If debts remain unpaid, heirs may be burdened with the responsibility of settling the outstanding balance,' he said. Meanwhile, Syarah Sakinah Sudarma, 34, an administrative executive at a private company in Johor Bahru, said the main reason for restructuring her loan was to secure a lower monthly payment that suits her financial situation. 'I restructured my loan earlier this year. It has helped me manage my monthly expenses more effectively,' she said, adding that she took the PTPTN loan in 2011 while studying at Universiti Sains Malaysia. She explained that the main advantages of restructuring are lower monthly payments and a flexible repayment schedule, enabling her to manage her long-term finances more efficiently. She believes that repaying the PTPTN loan is a trust and an important responsibility to ensure the funds can help other students pursue their studies. PTPTN encourages borrowers to negotiate and restructure their loans through more flexible repayment plans based on their financial ability, with no additional fees. Borrowers can download the myPTPTN app to simplify the loan restructuring application process, providing faster, easier and more secure access. - Bernama
