MB: Cargo hub project proceeding smoothly
08 Jun 2006
JOHOR BARU: Plans to build a cargo hub by the Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) are progressing smoothly, says Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.
He skirted questions about a reported dispute between SATS and the land owner, Lee Rubber Co.
He reiterated that the project would bring long-term benefits to the State and complement plans to transform south Johor into an economic growth area.
The project involves the acquisition of 1,600ha from Lee Rubber.
The land parcel is sandwiched between Senai Airport, Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
"SenaiÂ’s strategic location can bring rapid growth to the stateÂ’s economy and the land acquisition will speed up the process," he said yesterday.
The major shareholder of Lee Rubber is the family of the late Singaporean tycoon and philanthropist, Lee Kong Chian.
The New Straits Times reported on Tuesday that the project had been held up by a price-offer dispute and the size of land needed.
An English financial weekly also reported that the issue boiled over when SATS placed a deposit of RM190 million with the Johor Land Department for the compulsory acquisition of the land.
It is learnt that Lee Rubber was willing to give up a substantial portion of land for the hub but had sought a guarantee that it would not be used for residential and commercial development.
New Strait Times,also today 13 .06.2006 Strait Times front page.
see how the real powerful in MY rob land at low price and sell high.
MY--good student in freedom and democracy!!
2.
June 06, 2006
Johor Ready To Consider Senai As Regional Cargo/Logistics Hub
BATU PAHAT, June 6 (Bernama) -- The Johor State Government is ready to give due consideration to proposals that the Senai Airport be made a regional cargo and logistics hub, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said Tuesday.
Any suggestion to make Senai airport as a cargo and logistics hub to serve not only the country but regionally, will be given the consideration by the state government, he said.
He was speaking to reporters after visiting the Modern Agriculture Project at the Air Hitam Veterinary Institute here with state Exco members, Tuesday.
The Menteri Besar was asked to comment on a news report today that Senai Airport Terminal Services (SATS) was planning to buy a 1600-hectare piece of land belonging to Lee Rubber Co to develop the cargo centre.
SATS, the operator of the Senai Airport, is owned by corporate big wig Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary. He also owns the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Johor.
Abdul Ghani said the plans to develop Senai as a regional cargo centre actually began five years ago and was based on several factors including that it would be capable of providing the competition to its neighbour, Singapore.
-- BERNAMA