Yan, Kedah’s publication in an official gazette as a federal port

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that the development of Yan as a port is expected to give rise to more shipping activities in the area as employment opportunities aimed for the locals and the surrounding areas are to be created.

He also mentioned that these developments will contribute to the shipping industry in regards to promoting tourism which will aid the economy of Kedah to be develop all the more.

Dr Wee added that the area which is about 600 sq km and with a distance of 20 nautical miles from the Yan coastline has been declared to be a part of the federal port which is under Section 5 and 6 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 and was publicized in an official gazette for the purpose on May 10.

The said publication of the Yan Port being a federal port in an official gazette has been pointed out by the transport minister to be included in the Budget 2021 which has been passed last November 2020 where RM 780mil is allocated for the development of the five federal economic development corridors aimed towards the ongoing projects for 2021.

He said that the allocated amount includes the construction of infrastructure and project components in Free Trade Zones in Yan and Baling, Kedah which is under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).

Dr Wee also added that this development in the mentioned areas will benefit the people of these areas and will aid in the overall national growth momentum.

He stated that the declaration made by the ministry to create the nation’s latest federal port in the north of the peninsula is in conjunction with the plans made by the nation’s latest federal port in the north of the peninsula will also complement plans by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) which is to prompt the process of development as well as the prod of shipping activities in the area of Pulau Bunting, Yan, Kedah.

He also mentioned that the Marine Department will have the jurisdiction over the port and that they will be the ones to be in charge of the matters that is related to shipping, maritime safety as well as the maritime shipping traffic safety.

Given this, he said that the ministry will make sure that the country’s waters are in order without any obstruction to legitimate businesses.