Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR.
MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : THE HYATT REGENCY HOTEL
JOHOR BAHRU, JOHOR DARUL TAKZIM
Tarikh/Date : 13/03/2000
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
OF THE PELABUHAN TANJUNG
PELEPAS 2000 CONFERENCE
AND EXHIBITION
"Malaysian Ports into the 21st Century"
First of all, I wish to extend a warm welcome to all
delegates who are gathered here today to attend the
Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) 2000 Conference. This is
a rare opportunity to address such a distinguished
gathering of port and shipping experts. Congratulations
to Baltic Conventions and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas
for organising this conference, a timely move
considering the pace of the economic recovery in Asia
generally, and in Malaysia, in particular. This recovery
will pick up speed and is expected to accelerate further
as the world economy expands with stronger demand from
the industrialised as well as the developing countries.
In line with this economic expansion, the Malaysian port
sector is expected to resume its upward growth.
2. The Malaysian Government is confident that the port
sector's further growth will thrust the Malaysian
economy into a new era of globalisation, which is
presently engulfing the international trade sector.
3. With this globalisation, world markets are
increasingly independent of regulated policies and as a
result will become highly competitive. Increasingly,
companies are outsourcing their needs to achieve the
lowest cost and highest quality to remain viable.
Shipping Lines and ports have benefited from this by
dealing with third party logistics providers who are
able to `network' a diverse chain of players within the
global logistics chain.
4. With shipping lines embarking on larger Super Post
Panamax vessels, the world's demand for containerised
cargo is expected to continue to increase with reduced
overall freight rates. This we believe will lead to
further port expansion and a surge in demand for both
the port and shipping sectors, moving further towards
the growth of the global logistics business providing
effective avenues and choices for cargo owners.
5. The port sector, in this respect, has always
responded to the growing needs of cargo owners by
developing newer facilities with state of the art
equipment as well as using I.T. to achieve greater
efficiency. The most efficient and cheapest method of
moving goods is still by sea. A well-developed port
infrastructure is thus a vital part of an efficient
trading system and network. In Asia, successful and
prosperous economies have actually been built simply by
providing first class port services.
6. Recognising this, the Malaysian Government embarked
on a privatisation policy in the 1980s which was
designed, in part, to increase the role of the private
sector in national economic development and further
increase the levels of productivity and efficiency. This
privatisation policy was followed by further initiatives
including the Multimedia Super Corridor, which
encompasses the new administrative capital of Putrajaya
and the KL International Airport. This area, once fully
developed, will see the state-of-the-art Information
Technology infrastructure and new business-friendly
procedures and regulations to attract I.T. - based
industries. With these business-friendly approaches,
procedures such as Customs and Immigration clearance
have today undergone some form of computerisation, which
has provided for EDI links to external users. This has
also helped to enhance the attractiveness of Malaysian
ports due to faster turnaround of vessels through simple
and effective clearance procedures.
7. The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), which was
developed following a privatisation agreement with the
Government of Malaysia in March 1995 has benefited from
these procedures. Being new, PTP has geared itself to be
the commercial nexus of South East Asia, offering port
solutions that are reliable, efficient and advanced.
With this goal in mind, this conference and exhibition
is necessary to create an international forum where
participants can exchange ideas, views and learn the
latest on port management and issues relevant to their
countries. In a continued effort to upgrade and improve
the Malaysian economy, this conference and exhibition
will be a biennial event.
8. Strategically situated at the confluence of
international shipping lanes with just 45 minutes
navigation time away, PTP sees itself as offering a
viable and alternate port of call to shipping lines in
this region. Located on 1,935 acres of greenfield site,
PTP will enhance Malaysia's port sector's contribution
to Malaysia's development.
9. PTP aspires to develop into a regional transhipment
hub and aims to be on par with existing international
ports like Singapore and Hong Kong. With a state-of-the-
art Information Technology system, PTP gives instant
access to its purpose-designed Integrated Terminal and
Port Management Information System (ITPMIS). By
synergising the Port's operations and communication
centres, the ITPMIS facilitates a free-flow of updated
information and provides near paper-less transactions
between port personnel, shipping lines, marine services
and freight forwarders.
10. PTP spares no expenses in providing the latest
Super Post Panamax and Post Panamax Container Quay
cranes to be deployed on the quayside. Their 53-metre
outreach can service even the most sophisticated
container vessel. Along with Rubber-Tyred Gantry cranes,
Prime Movers and Trailers, PTP reduces turnaround time
as cargo moves efficiently and quickly.
11. Challenging conventional and traditional views of
port development, PTP offers an ideal opportunity for
customers to reshape the market. Various customs
formalities like Deferment of Duty on foreign goods
until departure and Elimination of Duty on merchandise
re-exported, have been waived. PTP also provides
facilities for storage of goods and merchandise pending
more favourable market/sales conditions.
12. Southwest Johore is a growing area offering cheaper
and cost-effective alternatives to manufacturing and
commercial industries. About 1,000 acres of land are
available for lease on a long-term basis. Designed as a
container port, PTP will develop a Distripark, ideal for
warehousing consolidation, International Procurement
Centre operations, value-added activities and
distribution services. For port and maritime-related
support industries, PTP has reserved some 613 acres of
land to accommodate export-oriented light, medium and
heavy industries.
13. PTP will have the single largest container handling
facilities in the region outside of Singapore. Spanning
an area of 1.2 million square metres and able to store
approximately 110,000 TEUs, the container yard is one of
the largest in South East Asia.
14. The increase in trade would have an impact on ports
and shipping services. The maturing of new container
markets following the admission of Vietnam, Cambodia,
Myanmar and Laos would open up vast opportunities for
new ports to play a bigger role in the region. PTP is
therefore in a good position to provide a better
platform for Malaysia to capture these growing markets.
15. In an increasingly competitive environment, port
operators must ensure that the needs of users are met.
Through the Malaysia Incorporated concept, Government
and private sectors have been able to work together to
develop the port sector and achieve greater heights.
16. In line with the theme of this conference, an
awareness of the potential of PTP will become more
apparent. I hope participants here will discuss and
exchange ideas for the betterment of local ports
industry. The conference will also analyse global and
regional trade and shipping trends in this new millenium
that are relevant and that would have direct impact on
the port industry. I believe that deliberations from
this conference would provide useful guidelines and
directions in ensuring effective and dynamic port
policies, thereby enabling local ports to remain
competitive and attractive in a fast changing world.
17. On this note, I hereby declare the PTP 2000
International Conference and Exhibition open.
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