Latest news with #RaikanKasihMADANI2025
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Transport Ministry mulls structured, transparent system for port charges
PUTRAJAYA: Transport Ministry (MOT) is studying a more structured mechanism regarding port charges to ensure the sustainability of the country's ports as well as a balance between market needs and capacity development. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the current charge review is allegedly inconsistent and not transparent. "So we want to create a more transparent and structured system where there is a periodic review, meaning there is a review of the charges annually, perhaps according to a lower formula. "For example, if there is an increase in the CPI (Consumer Price Index), what is the annual inflation rate, let's say the annual inflation rate is two per cent, then the charge increase may be gradual and not sudden like today," he said. He told the media after the monthly assembly of the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Raikan Kasih MADANI 2025 event, here today. Loke said the matter would be refined to ensure that all parties could receive fairer charges and the country's ports remained competitive. "If we do not look at the increase or reassessment of these charges, the revenue of port operators will decrease, of course they will not invest to increase capacity. "So we have to balance between the needs of the market and also the needs of building capacity development," he said. Regarding the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM)'s call for the government to delay the implementation of the proposed 30 per cent increase in port tariffs, especially for container handling and storage, Loke said the Port Klang Authority (PKA) and the Johor Port Authority (JPA) had not submitted any documents for final approval or gazette. Loke explained that the Port Authority would assess these charges from time to time when there is a request from operators and not according to a specific schedule. "The increase in port charges is a tariff that is strictly controlled by the Port Authority, not at will," he said. According to him, the last review was carried out 10 years ago through two phases, namely 15 per cent in 2015 and another 15 per cent in 2018. "Last year we had a process to reassess the charge. The charge went through various consultation processes with stakeholders, through a consultative committee at the port level. "The proposal for a 30 per cent increase this time will be implemented in phases over three years, not all at once, but will increase by 15 per cent in the first phase, 10 per cent (second phase) and the third phase (five per cent)," he said. On March 8, Bernama reported that the FMM) requested that the government postpone the implementation of the proposed 30 per cent increase in port tariffs, especially for container handling and storage.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MOT to study more transparent mechanism on port charges
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is studying a more structured mechanism regarding port charges to ensure the sustainability of the country's ports as well as a balance between market needs and capacity development. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the current charge review is allegedly inconsistent and not transparent. 'So we want to create a more transparent and structured system where there is a periodic review, meaning there is a review of the charges annually, perhaps according to a lower formula. 'For example, if there is an increase in the CPI (Consumer Price Index), what is the annual inflation rate, let's say the annual inflation rate is two per cent, then the charge increase may be gradual and not sudden like today,' he said. He told the media after the monthly assembly of the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Raikan Kasih MADANI 2025 event, here today. Loke said the matter would be refined to ensure that all parties could receive fairer charges and the country's ports remained competitive. 'If we do not look at the increase or reassessment of these charges, the revenue of port operators will decrease, of course they will not invest to increase capacity. 'So we have to balance between the needs of the market and also the needs of building capacity development,' he said. Regarding the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM)'s call for the government to delay the implementation of the proposed 30 per cent increase in port tariffs, especially for container handling and storage, Loke said the Port Klang Authority (PKA) and the Johor Port Authority (JPA) had not submitted any documents for final approval or gazette. Loke explained that the Port Authority would assess these charges from time to time when there is a request from operators and not according to a specific schedule. 'The increase in port charges is a tariff that is strictly controlled by the Port Authority, not at will,' he said. According to him, the last review was carried out 10 years ago through two phases, namely 15 per cent in 2015 and another 15 per cent in 2018. 'Last year we had a process to reassess the charge. The charge went through various consultation processes with stakeholders, through a consultative committee at the port level. 'The proposal for a 30 per cent increase this time will be implemented in phases over three years, not all at once, but will increase by 15 per cent in the first phase, 10 per cent (second phase) and the third phase (five per cent),' he said. On March 8, Bernama reported that the FMM) requested that the government postpone the implementation of the proposed 30 per cent increase in port tariffs, especially for container handling and storage. This is because the increase will have major implications on the cost of doing business for manufacturers and transport companies.
Barnama
22-04-2025
- Business
- Barnama
MOT To Study More Transparent Mechanism On Port Charges
PUTRAJAYA, April 22 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is studying a more structured mechanism regarding port charges to ensure the sustainability of the country's ports as well as a balance between market needs and capacity development. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the current charge review is allegedly inconsistent and not transparent. "So we want to create a more transparent and structured system where there is a periodic review, meaning there is a review of the charges annually, perhaps according to a lower formula. "For example, if there is an increase in the CPI (Consumer Price Index), what is the annual inflation rate, let's say the annual inflation rate is two per cent, then the charge increase may be gradual and not sudden like today," he said. He told the media after the monthly assembly of the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Raikan Kasih MADANI 2025 event, here today. Loke said the matter would be refined to ensure that all parties could receive fairer charges and the country's ports remained competitive. "If we do not look at the increase or reassessment of these charges, the revenue of port operators will decrease, of course they will not invest to increase capacity. "So we have to balance between the needs of the market and also the needs of building capacity development," he said. Regarding the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM)'s call for the government to delay the implementation of the proposed 30 per cent increase in port tariffs, especially for container handling and storage, Loke said the Port Klang Authority (PKA) and the Johor Port Authority (JPA) had not submitted any documents for final approval or gazette.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Regional rail connectivity can enhance supply chain
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia-Thailand rail connectivity to the Asian continent, including China, is important in terms of supply chain security and safety, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook. He said the development of rail infrastructure is important from a regional perspective, not just domestically, with the aim of connecting ASEAN member countries through a more strategic railway network. 'When we can connect via rail between these countries, first of all, it is regional connectivity and also very important in terms of supply chain security because the world today is experiencing various uncertainties and disruptions,' he said. He told the media after the monthly assembly of the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Raikan Kasih MADANI 2025 event, here today. Loke said Malaysia, which is located in the middle of the strategic route of the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, has the advantage of being a link between western and eastern countries. Therefore, he said the region should make full use of existing railways to improve connectivity. 'We hope that at the ASEAN level there is a consensus so that we can improve this connectivity. When we have improved this connectivity, of course other countries will also be interested, especially landlocked countries,' he said. To realise the Pan-Asian Railway Network, Loke said Malaysia is committed to achieving a policy with Thailand that is more supportive of the development of the rail sector. Loke said he would meet with Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit on May 2 to resolve several issues, including Malaysia's rail cargo services being able to cross borders and become a major mode in the future. He said, for example, among the existing obstacles were certain restrictions on the movement of goods by rail between Malaysia and Thailand, where there were categories of goods that were not allowed to be transported by rail across borders. 'Things like this must be resolved so that we can reduce these barriers to enhance trade in ASEAN,' Loke said Malaysia is the host of the ASEAN summit next month and the main agenda is to steer the region in facing the current challenges. 'The most important challenge at this time is that the increase in tariffs by the United States has made the global economy increasingly tense. 'What is important for ASEAN is to ensure that availability or the level of competitiveness remains high and to ensure that trade within ASEAN can be improved so that we can reduce trade dependence on only one market,' he said. Therefore, Loke said MOT plays a major role in ensuring that trade between ASEAN can be improved through the implementation of policy instruments so that democratic red tape and restrictions within ASEAN can be reduced. Loke said cooperation between Malaysia and Thailand is established through Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) and State Railway of Thailand (SRT) but what is important is government-to-government (G2G) cooperation. The Pan-Asian Railway Network is also known as the Kunming-Singapore Railway Network, connecting the city of Kunming in China with Singapore, via several Southeast Asian countries. It is a mega project that connects Southeast Asia with China and then to the European continent. Malaysia plays a key role in the Pan-Asian Railway Network, particularly through the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Project which connects the East and West Coasts of Peninsular Malaysia.
Barnama
22-04-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Regional Rail Connectivity Can Enhance Supply Chain
GENERAL PUTRAJAYA, April 22 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia-Thailand rail connectivity to the Asian continent, including China, is important in terms of supply chain security and safety, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook. He said the development of rail infrastructure is important from a regional perspective, not just domestically, with the aim of connecting ASEAN member countries through a more strategic railway network. "When we can connect via rail between these countries, first of all, it is regional connectivity and also very important in terms of supply chain security because the world today is experiencing various uncertainties and disruptions," he said. He told the media after the monthly assembly of the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Raikan Kasih MADANI 2025 event, here today. Loke said Malaysia, which is located in the middle of the strategic route of the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, has the advantage of being a link between western and eastern countries. Therefore, he said the region should make full use of existing railways to improve connectivity. "We hope that at the ASEAN level there is a consensus so that we can improve this connectivity. When we have improved this connectivity, of course other countries will also be interested, especially landlocked countries," he said. To realise the Pan-Asian Railway Network, Loke said Malaysia is committed to achieving a policy with Thailand that is more supportive of the development of the rail sector. Loke said he would meet with Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit on May 2 to resolve several issues, including Malaysia's rail cargo services being able to cross borders and become a major mode in the future.
