PORT DICKSON: The government will look into the proposal to upgrade two jetties in the district as part of the move to boost tourism in Negri Sembilan, said Transport minister Anthony Loke.
He said the two jetties are Port Dickson Passenger Jetty and Railway Assets Corporation Jetty (RAC).
Loke said he would request the state government to provide a comprehensive paper work to look into how the proposed upgrading measures could be implemented.
“Large cruise ships carrying thousands of tourists from abroad had docked at Port Dickson's jetty several times before, drawing a lot of interests.
“We see this as a potential for the state government to develop the tourism sector, here.
“Imagine if these thousands of tourists from the cruise ships are given the opportunity to do some sightseeing and spending here, this will certainly help to boost the local economy, especially in Port Dickson,” he said.
Loke said the matter however could only be realised with the availability of complete facilities and infrastructure at the two jetties.
“In terms of location, Port Dickson has great potential and advantage because it is located close to the Straits of Malacca, Kuala Lumpur as well as the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
“If these jetties have the ability to accommodate greater capacity and are managed, operated and organised more comprehensively, we are confident that more large vessels can dock here and this will promote the economic development in the tourism sector in Port Dickson.
“In addition, we are confident that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's presence as Port Dickson Member of Parliament would also be able to attract more investors here,” he said in a press conference after a working visit at Port Dickson Jetty here, today.
In addition, Loke said the ministry would discuss with the state government on how to develop new tourism products on the piece of land owned by RAC.
“We will hold talks with the state government and see how we can work together for this purpose,” he said.
Meanwhile, asked to comment on allegations of power abuse that had prompted the Gabungan Teksi SeMalaysia (GTSM) to lodge a report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Loke said it was up to GTSM.
“I have nothing to comment, that's their (GTSM) right. I'm just doing my job for the benefit of all,” he said briefly.
In a report lodged by GTSM on Tuesday, its president Kamarudin Mohd Hussain claimed that Loke had abused his power by amending laws and regulations without consulting stakeholders.
#SemarakRamadan Not sure where to go for buka puasa today? Get inspired at https://semarak.nst.com.my/buffet