Sunday October 25, 2009
Marine ports to implement key performance index
GEORGE TOWN: A key performance index will be implemented for all ports in the country as “soon as possible”.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said his ministry was drawing up the KPI to make sure port operators “buck up”.
“Among the things we will look at are profits and losses, quality of service and volume of business.
“I want all port operators to buck up and embark on a comprehensive branding exercise because as we progress, ports in other countries are also growing — especially those in China,” he told reporters at the certificate of completion handover of the Swettenham Pier expansion project yesterday.
He also urged the Penang Port Commission and Penang Port Sdn Bhd to promote Swettenham Pier as a “Malaysian brand”.
Close look: Ong visiting the Swettenham Pier in Penang yesterday “We must put the people first. At one time, people thought the Federal Government will not provide for Penang because of politics but that is wrong,” he said.
Asked about the state government’s plan for a monorail test track in Batu Kawan, Ong said he was not aware of it.
An English daily had earlier reported that “discussions are ongoing” with the private sector to build a monorail test track on a 12.1ha site on the mainland.
At another function in Putrajaya, Ong said Malaysia would be one of the 26 countries vying for one of 20 seats in category C of the International Maritime Organisation Council during the elections on Nov 27.
He said category A was reserved for major maritime trading nations, category B for major shipping nations and category C for countries with maritime interests due to their geographical spread.
“As such, Malaysia feels that its presence in the council is warranted given its long coastline and proximity to the major shipping route along the Straits of Malacca,” he said at a press conference after launching the national-level World Maritime Day celebrations.
On another matter, Ong said the unity plan between him and former MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek marked a new starting point that needed the commitment from all sides to succeed.
The MCA president said the plan was also not a sudden occurrence and had been worked on for some time.
He said not many were aware that the peace process was in progress and that was why many were surprised when Dr Chua and he announced it.
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