Malaysia's Infrastructure and Utilities

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Penang bridge, airport projects on schedule
By Audrey Dermawan Published: 2010/11/02
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...s/bij/Article/

WORK on the ongoing second Penang bridge project and the expansion of the Penang International Airport are progressing smoothly and on schedule.

The bridge project, which is scheduled for completion in November 2013, costs RM4.5 billion. Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) is the concessionaire of the project.

The first phase of the airport expansion, which is slated for completion in January 2012, costs RM250 million. It is managed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the government was satisfied with the progress and handling of both projects.

Nor Mohamed, who is also chairman of the National Action Council for Penang, said about RM175 million worth of contracts from both projects (RM100 million from the bridge project and RM75 million from the airport expansion) would be opened for tenders to Bumiputera contractors soon.

"I have asked both JKSB and Malaysia Airports to give priority to local contractors and they have given their undertakings on the matter.

"We want contractors in the state to reap benefit from projects in the state," he told reporters after a working visit to the Penang International Airport on Saturday.

He was briefed on the progress of both projects by JKSB director Mohd Ashari Alias and Malaysia Airports chief operating officer Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohd Ali.

Nor Mohamed said the second bridge project is now 34 per cent completed.

He said the airport expansion involved a new departure hall of almost twice the size of the existing structure, increase in immigration counters and carpark spaces, separate arrival and departure halls for domestic and foreign visitors and new baggage check-in system.

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Extra efforts to improve Rural Basic Infrastructure
By JOSHUA FOONG Wednesday November 24, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...830&sec=nation



KUALA LUMPUR: Rural Basic Infrastructure (RBI) has been emphasised in one of the six National Key Results Areas (NKRAs) as it impacts the rural population which constitutes about 35% of Malaysians.

Many villages are still not connected by roads in Sabah and Sarawak and more than a quarter of households do not have access to electricity.

According to the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) roadmap, upwards of 40% of households in Sabah and Sarawak and 12% of households in Peninsular Malaysia also lack access to clean or treated water.

In view of this, the Government is putting more effort to develop and raise the quality of life for rural folk by 2012 through several initiatives. These include:

> More than 7,000km of new and upgraded roads to be built, with 1,900km of these in Sabah and Sarawak. In Peninsular Malaysia, this will result in 91.4% of the population living within 5km of a paved road by 2010, and rising to close to 100% in two years’ time.

> Around 50,000 new and restored houses will be provided to the rural poor and hardcore poor, with two-thirds of the population in Sabah and Sarawak. Of the 50,000, more than 16,000 houses are to be provided this year.

> Over 360,000 additional households will have access to clean or treated water. For Sabah and Sarawak, the programme will raise the percentage of rural houses with access to clean or treated water to 59% and 62% respectively in 2010, rising to around 90% respectively in two years time.

> Access to 24-hour electricity to over 140,000 additional households will be ensured. This will increase the percentage of households with access to electricity in Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak to 99.6%, 81% and 73% respectively this year.

To meet these targets, the Government plans to accelerate the pace of deployment of these basic services over what has been achieved in the past.

The increase of breadth, scale and pace of deployment is made possible through:

> Innovative, quick and least-cost ways of delivery.

For example, building standard-design houses, leveraging distributed power generation technologies such as solar hybrid power generation or micro hydro-electricity for areas distant from electricity generation and transmission infrastructure, and using alternative solutions such as tube wells, gravity wells, or rain water recovery for areas that are distant from reticulation networks.

> Revamping existing administrative processes to reduce the time required.

This will involve using more standard templates, parallel processes where possible, accelerating communications, etc.

> Facilitating and working closely with suppliers to ensure the supply and availability of enough machinery, material and manpower when required.

The Government will also ensure that close monitoring of these projects will be adhered to through SPPII, a well-established system managed by the Implementation Coordination Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department.

The SPII will be used for recording and tracking RBI initiatives to ensure they are delivered on time and on budget.

[nazrey]

National Public Transport Policy framework ready by Sept 2011
2010/12/13
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/N...t2011/Article/

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Public Transport Policy Framework and the Greater KL-Klang Valley Public Transport Masterplan will be completed by September next year, said chairman of Land Public Transport Commission (LPTC), Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.

"Currently, the commission is holding consultations with various stakeholders, users and experts," he told reporters on the sidelines of the National Summit on Urban Public Transport 2010 here today.

The one-day summit, themed Transforming Urban Mobility: Expanding Capacity, Improving Efficiency, is organised by Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute.

Syed Hamid said the National Public Transport Policy Framework would include sub-plans focusing on specific regions, with the Greater KL-Klang Valley Public Transport Masterplan being one of the priority areas.

He said currently, the share of public transportation in Greater KL was at 12 per cent and the government aimed to increase it to 25 per cent by 2012.

"The mass rapid transit will be the backbone for the public transport improvement in Greater KL," he said.

Earlier, at the officiating of the summit, Syed Hamid said the LPTC would get into full swing to formulate policies, plan and regulate rails, buses and taxi services as well as freight transport via road and rail.

"It also has enforcement powers which it will carry out in close cooperation with other enforcement agencies such as the police and the Road Transport Department," he said.

Meanwhile, commission chief executive officer, Mohd Nur Ismal Kamal, said LPTC was formed and granted its power through amendments made to four Acts.

"Three Acts had been amended, while amendment to the Road Transport Act 1987 is scheduled to be made by the end of the current parliamentary session (Dec 16)," he said. - BERNAMA

[nazrey]

RM67bil fresh ETP injection
By DHARMENDER SINGH, FLORENCE A. SAMY and TEH ENG HOCK Wednesday January 12, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...224&sec=nation



Generating jobs and income: Najib announcing 19 more projects
as part of the ETP in Putrajaya Tuesday. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Another 19 entry point projects (EPPs) worth RM67bil in investments are now part of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the projects from 10 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) would generate RM36bil in gross national income and create 35,000 new jobs.

“As we approach the first 100 days after the launch (of the ETP), I am pleased to announce 19 more EPPs and developments,” he said at the third ETP update at his office yesterday.

Najib noted that the impact of the ETP was clear, as seen by the performance of Bursa Malaysia which closed on a high of 1,572.21 points on Jan 7.

In October last year, Najib announced the first 18 EPPs under the ETP.

The ETP, which forms part of the New Economic Model roadmap, will transform Malaysia into a high-income, inclusive and sustainable nation.

It was announced earlier that the ETP had identified 131 Entry Point Projects and 60 business opportunities that would help the country achieve high-income nation status by 2020.

Four of the EPPs are under the Oil, Gas and Energy NKEA, three under Business Services, three under Greater Kuala Lumpur, two under Healthcare, two under Tourism, and one each under Education, Agriculture, Wholesale and Retail, Communications Content and Infrastructure, and Electrical and Electronics.

ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc, together with its production sharing partner Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd, plan to invest RM10bil in new oil and gas assets to help ensure reliable and sustainable energy supplies for Malaysia.

Najib also announced the formation of the Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation, which would be led by CEO Dr Mohd Zamzam Jaafar.

[nazrey]

Economic Transformation Programme: 19 Entry Point Project
Wednesday January 12, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...510&sec=nation

19 Entry Point Projects worth RM67bil involving 10 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs).

OIL, GAS AND ENERGY

1. ExxonMobil

Investment: Over RM10bil

Project: ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc. and partner Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd to invest in new oil and gas assets to help meet growing energy needs. Involves multiple projects including enhanced oil recovery activities in the Tapis field; and the development of the Telok project.

Start date: Early 2013

2. Shell Malaysia

Investment: RM5.1bil

Project: Upgrade, expand or build facilities in all level of activities across the country. Projects include the expansion of the Shell MDS wax plant in Bintulu, a new diesel processing unit at the Port Dickson Shell Refinery and the Gumusut deepwater development in Sabah.

GNI Impact: RM2.9bil (at plateau production level)

Potential Jobs: 1,650 over the construction period

3. Dialog Group Bhd: Independent Deepwater Petroleum Terminal in Pengerang, Johor

Investment: RM5bil

Project: Develop a terminal with a total petroleum storage capacity of about five million cubic meters.

Potential Jobs (by 2020): 5,000 throughout construction and operation.

4. Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation

Purpose: Lead planning on possible use of nuclear energy to meet country’s energy demands. Dr Mohd Zamzam Jaafar appointed as the chief executive officer.

Current development timeline: 11 to 12 years from pre-project to commissioning.



BUSINESS SERVICES

Malaysia as a world-class data centre hub

Total Investment: RM671.6mil (3 companies)

Project: Develop new and upgrade current facilities to ensure sufficient data centre floor space to meet increasing demand.

AGRICULTURE

High-value herbal plantation in Pasir Raja GNI Impact (by 2020): RM2.2bil

Project: Cultivate herbs that are in high demand for the production of nutraceuticals and botanical drugs.

Potential Jobs: 285

HEALTHCARE

1. Universiti Malaya Health Metropolis

Investment: RM1.25bil (excluding land costs)

Project: Health Metropolis, which includes a new hospital wing, research and education centre, would be developed as the country’s premier medical hub and as one of the centres of excellence for medicine and bioscience in the region.

Potential Jobs (by 2020): 10,400 in healthcare and support staff.

GNI Impact (by 2020): RM986mil

2. Hovid: Hovid Objective Pharmaceutical
Excellent

GNI Impact: RM50mil

Project: Develop generic drugs including for the treatment of diabetes (Metformin 850mg MR) and painkiller (Tramadol 100mg SR).

Joint project between Hovid Bhd and Winthrop Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Sanofi-Aventis Group.

TOURISM

1. Teluk Datai Development Plan

Investment: RM1bil

Project: Teluk Datai Resorts Sdn Bhd to develop 300 acres of land in Langkawi by 2014. Includes the upgrading of The Datai Hotel and golf course, and development of premium hotels and luxury villas for sale.

2. YTL Group: Pulau Gaya Development

Investment: RM75mil

Project: The construction of a Pulau Gaya Resort in Sabah with a spa village and 132 spacious hillside and sea-front villas.

ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

AUO Sunpower

Investment: RM2.2bil

Project: Construction of a new solar facility in Malacca to generate more than 1,400 megawatts of high-efficiency solar cells annually. Potential Jobs (by 2012): 4,069

EDUCATION

Skills Malaysia 2011

Purpose: Upgrade unskilled workers and raise awareness of post-SPM education opportunities through roadshows and a skills sompetition.

COMMUNICATIONS CONTENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE

SelecTV: Hospitality IPTV

Investment: RM30mil

Project: Distribute Malaysian content to local and international hotels including in the middle east, Thailand and Indonesia.

GNI Impact: RM90mil

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL

Mines Wellness City by Country Heights Group of Companies

Investment (by 2020): RM3bil

Project: To develop an integrated health and wellness resort as a one-stop destination for modern and complementary medicine.

GNI Impact: RM5bil over 10 years

Potential Jobs: 11,000 over 10 years.

GREATER KL/KLANG VALLEY

1. Damansara City 2

Investment: RM1.9bil

Project: Integrated development in Pusat Bandar Damansara by GuocoLand Malaysia. The next iconic landmark will comprise two office blocks (totalling 845,000 sq feet) and retail blocks (290,000 sq feet), a 300-room hotel and a 260-unit service apartment.

2. Mass Rapid Transit

Investment: RM36.6bil for three lines (without land acquisition and rolling stock)

Project: Connecting Greater KL to ease congestion and increase accessibility to, from and within the city.

GNI Impact: RM21.3bil incremental GNI

Potential Jobs: 130,000 at its peak with multiplier impact.

3. Talent Corporation

Purpose: Implement initiatives to attract best talents to fill the 3.3 million positions to be created by the various National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs).

[nazrey]

We'll need nuclear power plant by 2021, says TNB chief
By Sharen Kaur Published: 2011/01/17
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...NBb15/Article/

MALAYSIA will need a nuclear plant by 2021 as the current access power of 40 per cent is getting less, said Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) president and chief executive officer Datuk Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh.

Che Khalib said despite an economic downturn, demand for power supply has increased.

He anticipates that demand will rise by 5 per cent this year, led by projects under the Economic Transformation Programme.

"Access capacity won't last forever. With ETP, we need more power plants. We are allocating RM300 million in capital expenditure for the next two years," he said.
He was speaking on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur at the Sukaneka Anak-Anak Yatim, officiated by Deputy Minister for Energy, Green Technology and Water Noriah Kasnon.

The government plans to build, what will be the country's first power plant to meet its growing energy needs.

According to the ETP handbook, the cost to build the twin-unit nuclear plant will require an investment of RM21.3 billion by 2020.

Che Khalib said the threat of bad weather and peak oil was necessary for Malaysia to go nuclear.

He said due to the recent bad weather in Kalimantan and Brisbane, Australia, demand for coal has gone up and this has led to price increase by 50 per cent in the past six months.

"Some 40 per cent of our energy output comes from coal plants. It is time for the government to generate power from nuclear," Che Khalib said.

He said Malaysia needs to diversify its energy mix, adding that the power supply for the future should be a combination of coal, gas and nuclear, among others.

Meanwhile, Che Khalib said the contract for the second block of the 1,000 megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Manjung will be awarded by March.

The government had in August last year offered TNB to develop the first block of 1,000MW at its present power plant site in Manjung.

The national utility giant had said that it is proposing to expand its coal-fired power plant in Manjung, to meet demand for electricity in Peninsular Malaysia.

A research house expects TNB to seek to increase the capacity of its Manjung facility by 2,000MW from its 2,100MW, for between RM6 billion and RM7 billion.

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Maintain infrastructure system, says Chin
Posted on February 25, 2011, Friday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=96439

Utility companies encouraged to undertake comprehensive asset management

KUALA LUMPUR: The government strongly encourages utility companies to undertake comprehensive asset management as any crisis to utilities would shake the confidence and security of the country.

Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Seri Peter Chin said the government and industry players must ensure that the infrastructure at present is well maintained.

“The infrastructure system for the three main utilities is humongous and the effort which goes into its construction and maintenance is equally daunting,” he added.

The total installed capacity of electricity is more than 20,000 MW in Malaysia.

For water services, there are more than 6.2 million connections and total consumption exceeds 8,550 million litres daily (MLD).

There are also 5,600 public sewerage treatment systems and another 2,000 under private care.

Chin said this in his keynote address titled, National Utility Asset Management: Towards A Better Government For Improved Level of Services, at the 1st World Congress and Exhibition on Infrastructure Asset Management here yesterday.

“The water sector though is more complicated. The issue now is about building up the infrastructure,” Chin added.

He pointed out that the investment requirement of the water supply sector for the period 2000-2050 was approximately RM52 billion, according to the National Water Resources Study 2000-2050.

As for the sewerage sector, the National Sewerage Development Plan projected that a capex of at least RM33 billion is needed over the next 30 years for upgrading and building new systems, he said.

“Since the water industry is not on full cost recovery, thus public spending is needed to finance capex. The shortage of public funding has indeed crippled the viability of the industry.

“As a result, the government has established a special purpose vehicle, Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB), to reduce the capex burden of the services companies, with the assets of the water services companies being transferred to it,” he explained.

PAAB is currently registering all the assets, including those in the three migrated states of Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.

Chin said the PAAB, which able to source and obtain competitive financing, has estimated that over RM24 billion would be required for the next 30 years, for asset build-up and maintenance.

Nevertheless, the minister said public funds would continue to be spent on utility assets, for example the US$483.9 million Pahang-Selangor Water Transfer Scheme.

Meanwhile, Chin urged the water operators and National Water Services Commission (SPAN) to check treatment plants that are continuously producing water, exceeding their design capacities.

He said these plants could not be stopped for scheduled maintenance due to the high demand but the overloading will definitely reduce its life cycle.

On the non-revenue water (NRW), which stands at 37 percent, Chin said SPAN has set NRW reduction for water companies as one of the main key performance indicators (KPI) to be fulfilled under their licensing requirement.

The NRW is mainly due to ageing pipes which require rehabilitation and replacement.

The minister noted that in Negeri Sembilan, the NRW had been reduced to 43.4 per cent in 2010 from 49.2 per cent the previous year, in Melaka to 26 per cent from 29.7 per cent and in Johor to 29.9 per cent from 31.9 per cent.

He also highlighted that maintaining national utility assets is a major issue facing not only Malaysia, but all developing nations. — Bernama

[nazrey]

UPDATE:
COMPLETED (since 2004 -present)
- KUALA LUMPUR | SMART Tunnel - Stormwater Management And Road Tunnel
- KUALA LUMPUR | Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE)
- KUALA LUMPUR, PUTRAJAYA | MAJU EXPRESSWAY - KL-Putrajaya Highway
- KUALA LUMPUR | KTM - Electrified Double Track Between Sentul-Batu Caves (new)
- KUALA LUMPUR | Integrated Transport Terminal @ Bandar Tasik Selatan (new)
- KUALA LUMPUR | Three four-car light rail transport (LRT) trains (Kelana Jaya line) (new)
- KUALA LUMPUR | Sri Rampai LRT station (Kelana Jaya line) (new)
- JOHOR | CIQ Complex & JB Sentral
- JOHOR | Senai Aeromall @ Senai Airport
- JOHOR | Senai - Desaru expressway
- SELANGOR | South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) (new)
- SELANGOR | Taylor's University College (new)
- SELANGOR | Subang Skypark @ Subang Airport
- SELANGOR, PERAK | KTM - Electrified Double Track Between Rawang-Ipoh
- SELANGOR, NEGERI SEMBILAN | Kajang-Seremban Highway
- SABAH | Kota Kinabalu International Airport Phase 1
- ‎SABAH | Kota Kinabalu International Airport Phase 2 (new)
- ‎SABAH | New Diesel Multiple Unit(DMU) for Sabah State Railway(new)
- TERENGGANU | Sultan Mahmud Airport
- MALACCA | Malacca International Airport
- MALACCA | Malacca Monorail (new)
- KEDAH | Sultan Abdul Halim Airport
- LABUAN | Labuan Airport Facelift
- PENANG | Penang Bridge Expansion
- PENANG | Penang Hill Railway Upgrade (new)
- SARAWAK | Bakun Hydroelectric Dam (new)
- MALAYSIA | New KTM's Electric Train Service (ETS) (new)
- MALAYSIA | Malaysia Airlines's Brand New Fleet - Boeing 737-800 (new)
- MALAYSIA | Firefly's Brand New Fleet - Boeing 737-800 (new)











image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr


UNDER CONSTRUCTION
KUALA LUMPUR | KLIA2 - New Permanent Low Cost Carrier Terminal & ERL Connection
KUALA LUMPUR | Puduraya Bus Terminal Refurbishment
KUALA LUMPUR | An underpass and road widening at Jalan Pudu
KUALA LUMPUR | Upgrading Integrated Railway Station
PENANG | Upgrading Penang International Airport
PENANG | Penang Second Bridge
PERAK, PENANG, KEDAH, PERLIS | KTM - Electrified Double Track Between Ipoh – Padang Besar
NEGERI SEMBILAN, JOHOR | KTM - Electrified Double Track Between Seremban–Gemas
PAHANG, TERENGGANU | East Coast Expressway
SARAWAK | New Sibu Airport
SARAWAK | Kuching Sentral
JOHOR | Sungai Johor Bridge
JOHOR | Newcastle University of Medicine Malaysia (NUMed)
JOHOR | Malrborough College Malaysia
JOHOR | Eastern Dispersal Link Highway
KELANTAN | Sultan Yahya Petra Second bridge
KEDAH | New express bus station for Sungai Petani













image hosted on flickr






























APPROVED
KUALA LUMPUR | Rapid KL LRT - Line Extension
KUALA LUMPUR | MRT Sungai Buloh - Kajang ‎
KUALA LUMPUR | 200 new buses
KUALA LUMPUR | 35 sets of four-car light rail transport (LRT) trains (Kelana Jaya line)
KUALA LUMPUR | 38 sets of six-car trains for KTM Komuters
KUALA LUMPUR | KL Monorail Fleet Expansion Project
KUALA LUMPUR | Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal
JOHOR | KTM - Electrified Double Track Between Gemas-Johor Bahru
JOHOR | Netherlands Maritime Institute of Technology (NMIT)
JOHOR | University of Southampton
SELANGOR | John Hopkins University
MALACCA | Tramway
PENANG | Penang Sentral
PENANG | Penang Turf Club Upgrade
PAHANG, SELANGOR | Pahang Selangor Raw Water Tunnel
MALAYSIA | Malaysia Airlines's A380

PROPOSED
MALAYSIA | High-speed railway and inter-modal freight system
MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE | KL-Singapore high speed rail link
MALAYSIA, INDONESIA | Melaka - Dumai Bridge
PENANG | Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR)
PENANG | Penang Monorail
PUTRAJAYA | Putrajaya Monorail
JOHOR | Singapore - Malaysia third bridge
JOHOR | Singapore - JB MRT
JOHOR | BRT/Tramway
PERAK | Ipoh City Integrated Bus Terminal
PAHANG | Tanjung Agas Oil & Gas and Maritime Industrial Park
SARAWAK | Sarawak State Railway
SARAWAK | New Sandakan Airport
SABAH | Aeropod Train Station
LABUAN, SABAH | Labuan-Menumbak Bridge

[nazrey]

Ministry achieves target to provide rural basic infrastructure
Monday April 25, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...768&sec=nation

KUALA LUMPUR: The recently-released GTP Annual Report 2010 revealed that the Rural and Regional Development Ministry had achieved its objectives set last year to provide rural basic infrastructure (RBI) for the people, in particular, to those in Sabah and Sarawak.

Not resting on its laurels, the Government will be rolling out more initiatives this year to realise the targets set out under the RBI NKRA to improve the living standards of the rural people.

The GTP showed that three out of four main initiatives under the RBI NKRA had exceeded its targets set for 2010, namely the construction of roads, houses and electricity connectivity.

The ministry also admitted to shortcomings in implementing certain projects while also trying to achieve the targets set under the RBI NKRA as some projects required a longer time compared to others, which causes a spillover effect into the following year, pushing back completion dates of other projects in queue.

Its minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the ministry intends to reduce the time required for processes such as procurement, tendering, acquisition of land and land related matters to expedite deliverables.

Shafie also said the projects completed last year were showing positive results and bringing better opportunities to the people. He said the ministry aims at maintaining the good momentum throughout this year.

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Manyin targets 500km of roads to be built under 1st phase of 10MP
Posted on April 27, 2011, Wednesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=126296

KUCHING: Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong has targeted to build some 500 kilometres of road in the state under the first rolling plan of the 10th Malaysia Plan.

The Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister said under the National Key Result Area (NKRA), a total of RM2 billion of the state’s RM5.7 billion allocation would be used to implement road projects over a three-year period from 2010 to 2012.

“Last year, the state tendered a total of 91 projects and about 240 kilometres have been completed. We hope to accomplish the same feat for this year and the next. In addition, all projects in this time frame must be completed by next year,” the Tebedu assemblyman told a press conference at his office at Masja, Petra Jaya near here yesterday.

The state has been given RM5.7 billion under the NKRA to carry out various infrastructure projects and to provide amenities to upgrade the living standard of the rural people.

Further to that, he mentioned that the state has also been given RM1 billion under the stimulus package (PRE) and another RM600 million under its PRE2. Overall, the ministry has received about RM3.6 billion in the past two years.

Manyin also pointed out that the ministry was also implementing projects under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) where the Public Works Department has tendered projects worth some RM4.7 billion.

On another note, Manyin took the time to respond to Lembah Pantai MP Nurrul Izzah Anwar’s recent statement that the government revise and increase the state’s oil royalty by 20 per cent from the current 5 per cent.

“Her father (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) was deputy prime minister and also finance minister before and he was the one who did not want to give the state its money. He never looked into it when he was in power. Now that he is not in power, he is trying to entice the people to get votes from Sarawak,” he pointed out.

Branding the statement as the opposition’s political game to fish for votes, Manyin said Anwar should have done it before.

“Twenty per cent is very high. In the end, nothing would be left for Shell,” he joked in the presence of representatives from Shell Malaysia who paid him a courtesy call to present a mock RM265,000 cheque in conjunction with the company’s 2011 Road Safety Programme launched today.

Manyin is the chairman of the Road Safety Council (MKJR).

[nazrey]

RM2.29 bln spent on infrastructure projects last year
Posted on April 29, 2011, Friday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=127001

THE Infrastructure Development Ministry spent RM2.29 billion to implement various projects in Sabah last year, said its minister, Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan.

Pairin in his winding up speech at the state assembly sitting yesterday, said the ministry had successfully carried out its responsibilities to improve the infrastructure and basic facilities in the state with dedication and excellence, although there were still many shortcomings that needed improvement.

He said the ministry last year utilized 92.9 per cent or RM4.99 billion from the RM5.37 billion allocated under various federal development programmes.

It also spent RM1.3 billion or 88.7 per cent from the total allocation of RM1.5 billion from the state government, he added.

“This success was due to the effort and dedication of all officers and staff under the ministry and its agencies. I must also record my appreciation and congratulate other departments and ministries who have given us their cooperation in implementing various projects,” he said.

He said the ministry would continue its hard work and implement infrastructure development programmes according to the guidelines and policies underlined in the National Key Result Areas (NKRA).

He noted that the ministry has been given a considerably huge allocation under the First Rolling Plan of the Tenth Malaysia Plan (2011-2012) for implementing new projects as well continuing existing ones that started under the Ninth Malaysian Plan (9MP).

He said the state government had allocated to the ministry RM571 million for implementing projects within the two-year period, while over RM3.67 billion had been approved by the federal government.

[nazrey]

Malaysia Govt urged to raise rates for renewable energy
By June Ramlee Published: 2011/05/05
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html



KUALA LUMPUR: More palm oil millers will be interested to start up biomass gas projects if the government can provide higher rates for such renewable energy in the future.

Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) general manager Thomas Brandt said besides increasing prices, the government should allow palm oil millers exclusive rights to supply renewable energy for the next 20 years as this allows them to garner profits and recoup investment costs.

"If the price (for renewable energy) is increased to 40 sen, for instance, and palm oil millers are given rights to charge that rate for the next 20 years, then I think they would be interested to do this as they can make good money out of it," he told reporters after briefing delegates on the Solar-Greentech trip to Germany held from June 7-15 at the MGCC headquarters yesterday.

Currently, the government does not have a specific rate for renewable energy source, but the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water will make an announcement on this matter in June.

Today, the cost of electricity is priced at 21 sen per kilowatt by Tenaga Nasional Bhd, a rate that many millers consider unattractive because starting a biomass gas project requires a lot of capital ranging from millions of ringgit.

Brandt said renewable energy projects, such as biomass gas, must be encouraged as it can save the country's natural resources, such as oil and gas, from depleting further.

"According to Petronas, there is only so much oil left, which can last for the next 33 years while petrol has a shorter life span of 19 years. But if renewable energy is encouraged now, then these resources can have a longer life span, perhaps even up to 50 years," he said.

Brandt said even the Germans were looking for local palm oil millers to partner with on biomass gas projects.

"We have got at least 20 to 30 companies together in the past, but I don't know what the outcome was," he said.

On the Solar-Greentech trip, Brandt said the trip will provide business matching, visits to the largest solar trade fair, training modules on green buildings and also various projects and company visits.

[nazrey]

Rural projects on track
By NURHIDAYAH RAMLI Wednesday May 4, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...011&sec=nation


Our commitment: Shafie (right) showing the bigger version of the newly
launched book Model Baru Ekonomi Luar Bandar. From left are Felcra chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nasir Baba, Rural and Regional Development
Deputy Ministers Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun and Datuk Hasan Malek, and
the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Ibrahim Muhamad.

BANGI: The Government will be able to meet the rural infrastructure projects target under its transformation plan, including the completion of nearly 300km of roads from the more than 900km planned for this year.

“I believe we will overcome the challenges that the ministry might face for the betterment of rural areas,” said Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

He said the ministry's development of rural basic infrastructure (RBI) under the National Key Result Areas had targeted some 905.12km of roads to be completed this year.

Of this target, a total of 290.11km had been built as at March 31, including 44.5km in Sabah and 56.1km in Sarawak, he said at a press conference after the ministry's monthly assembly at the Institute for Rural Advancement here yesterday.

Shafie also launched the book Model Baru Ekonomi Luar Bandar, which outlines the ministry's commitment under the Government Transformation Programme.

On other RBI projects, Shafie said 1,010 homes that previously had no direct water supply were now connected.

Besides that, some 729 houses were connected with electricity supply while 124 dilapidated homes were restored.

Shafie also announced that information kiosks would be built nationwide to provide updates and vital information on the ministry's progress to rural folks.

This is in addition to the current network of Medan InfoDesa in the rural districts which provide ICT facilities like computers, Internet access and related courses.

Regarding the ministry's book, he said its main objective was to improve the earnings of some five million low income earners to at least RM2,300 a month by 2015.

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Rural community benefits from ICT programme
Posted on May 4, 2011, Wednesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=127599


RiGHT GRADUATE: Nansian (centre) handing over the
RiGHT graduation certificate to George while Teo looks on.

KUCHING: George Abraham Augustine Dealvia is a happy man as he recently graduated from the Rural ICT Guided Home-based Technoprenuer (RiGHT) programme and is now on track to be the proud owner of his own ICT centre.

George, who hails from Kampung Singai Bau, completed six months of intensive training to become one of nine RiGHT graduates.

His final task before graduation was to prepare and present a business proposal for his own ICT centre to his sponsor Assistant Minister of Environment Datuk Peter Nansian and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains) CEO Datuk Teo Tien Hiong.

George pointed out that the setup of an ICT business centre at Kampung Singai, Bau would provide IT support and services not only to the community, but also to the more than 10,000 people who reside in the surrounding area.

“The centre will provide services such as printing, online payment services, Internet surfing services, computer repair services, network system setup services and web design services,” he said.

George also mentioned that he will use the centre to promote handicrafts and home-stay activities in the area.

During the presentation, Nansian revealed that he had big plans for the sustainable usage of ICT in his community.

He was confident that the RiGHT participant would be able to guide the community in this.

“I hope Sains will continue to provide him with support and advice, especially in terms of keeping him up to date with the latest changes in ICT technology,” he said.

Meanwhile, Teo also affirmed that the candidates would continue operating on their own and Sains would continue to provide different types of training for them to allow them to sustain themselves within their community.

More than 30 graduates from the RiGHT programme have successfully set-up ICT businesses in their villages or have been employed in established IT companies in Sarawak.

RiGHT is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative designed and implemented by Sains, specifically to bridge the rural-urban digital divide in Sarawak.

The programme won recognition as a finalist in the 2008 MSC Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Award for the category of e-Inclusion and e-Community.

For more information on the programme, the public may visit www.right.sarawak.gov.my or contact Sains RiGHT coordinator at 082-234008

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Petronas to build US$20b energy complex in Malaysia
Posted: 13 May 2011 1226 hrs
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...128617/1/.html

KUALA LUMPUR: State-owned energy giant Petronas said on Friday it will construct a US$20 billion integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex in southern Malaysia near the border with Singapore.

The Refinery and Petrochemicals Integrated Development (RAPID) will be commissioned by the end of 2016 as Malaysia aims to become a world class integrated oil, gas and petrochemical trading hub.

Petronas said the new complex, to be built on 2,500 acres (1,012 hectares) of coastal land in Johor state, will expand its petrochemicals business and further spur the growth of Malaysia's oil and gas downstream sector.

"Looking ahead, RAPID is expected to attract significant investments from international companies within and further down the business value chain," Petronas president and chief executive officer Shamsul Azhar Abbas said.

Shamsul said the project will comprise a crude oil refinery, a naphtha cracker and a petrochemicals and polymer complex.

"In terms of its contributions to nation-building, our downstream activities have helped to broaden and diversify the country's industrial base (and) strengthen the capacity to meet domestic fuel requirements indigenously, which has enhanced the country's security of energy supply," he said.

Petronas said the crude oil refinery will be able to produce 300,000 barrels per day of gasoline, jet fuel, diesel and fuel oil.

Malaysia is Southeast Asia's second-biggest oil producer after Indonesia.

The site in Pengerang was picked because of its strategic location near international shipping lanes and deepwater port facilities.

"Its close proximity to regional demand centres is also expected to attract potential collaborations with global partners in logistics and product distribution," the oil firm said.

The RAPID project is currently at the detailed feasibility study stage and a final decision will be made in 2012.

Shamsul said Petronas aims to partner major international petrochemical players including those from Singapore on an equity basis to produce premium specialty chemicals, demand for which is growing in the Asia Pacific region.

"We can do business integration with Singapore. Our door is open to Singapore businesses. Let's not view Singapore as a competitor," he said.

Although Singapore does not have its own natural energy resources it has a larger refining capacity than Malaysia.

Petronas also said it would build a new liquefied natural gas receiving and re-gasification terminal within the RAPID facility to support the development of RAPID.

-AFP/ck

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=582



Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak making the announcement on Friday - Bernama

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Perak

7 shortlisted for Vale mega project
By Francis Fernandez Published: 2011/05/05
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Kuala Lumpur: Brazil's Vale International SA, the world's second largest mining company, has shortlisted as many as seven Malaysian companies to undertake the first phase of a US$2.5 billion (RM7.45 billion) infrastructure development project in Perak.

People involved in the tender process told Business Times that the seven companies shortlisted for the first phase work are required to submit a detailed plan by next week.

It is understood that Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd, Gadang Bhd and Sunway Construction Bhd are among the seven companies that have been shortlisted.

"All the submissions will have to be in by the 10th of May," said a source.

It is believed that the first phase will focus on earth works job, as well as the flattening of land in the area.

The total cost for the earth work portion of the contract is estimated to be in the region of between RM200 million and RM300 million.

It is further understood that Vale expects the chosen contractor to start work at the site by as early as July.

Earlier, KYM Holdings Bhd was awarded a contract by Vale to act as consultant and also to help in securing land and development order approval from the relevant government authorities.

Last year, Vale also bought more than 460 hectares of land in Teluk Rubiah, Manjung, near the Straits of Malacca from KYM Holdings Bhd for slightlty more than RM200 million.

The land will be used to build a distribution centre and a pelletising plant, which will be able to convert raw iron ore into pellets that are used in steel production.

Vale also intends to build a sea port for its own use as it will be able to ship the pellets to China and India at a cheaper cost.

The seaport terminal will have a sufficient depth to accommodate ships of 400,000 dead weight tonnes and handling capacity for moving up to 30 million tonnes of iron ore in the initial phase.

Previous reports citing Vale had said that the first phase will involve a total capital expenditure of US$900 million (RM2.68 billion), which includes the US$98 million (RM292 million) the company had already spent in 2010.

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Negeri Sembilan

Gulf Petroleum signs deals for RM17b hub
Published: 2011/05/30
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...ULFAZ/Article/

KUALA LUMPUR: Qatar-based Gulf Petroleum (M) Sdn Bhd (GPLM) has signed agreements with consortium groups from China, Hong Kong and India to jointly develop its RM17 billion integrated oil and gas complex in Port Dickson.

Marmagoa Steel Ltd and Rukmani Finance Pte Ltd, which are led by India-based businessman Ashok Mittal, have formed a consortium with a local partner - Extrarich Marine Sdn Bhd.

Together, this consortium will undertake the financing, construction and supply of steel to build storage facility at the complex.

China-based telecom solutions provider Huawei Technologies has also come onboard to participate in the development of the complex. The group will cover the information technology and telecommunication aspects of the plant.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong-based Oriental Air Energy Investment Corp Ltd will undertake the financing and construction of the power supply requirements of the complex by utilising patented green air-powered technology.

GPLM managing director Nor Azmi Abdullah said the group has received official proposals from 35 countries worldwide interested to participate in the setting up of the complex. They include banking groups, government-linked investment companies and oil and gas companies.

"We will have more partnerships like the ones signed today. We are carefully studying the proposals at this stage," he said during a media briefing yesterday.

Construction of the complex would begin once the company has finalised outstanding regulatory issue with the authorities. "We hope to start construction by second quarter next year," he said.

The complex, targeted to be fully completed by 2015, is located at Port Dickson on a 607.5ha of land. It would include a refinery, petrochemical plant and storage facilities and would be able to produce about 150,000 barrels of oil per day.

The complex was intended to be GPLM's regional hub for its activities in Asia Pacific. The company had earlier secured crude oil supply among consortium members and has finalised initial agreements on products off-take arrangement with several countries within Asean and in Asia Pacific.

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Pahang

RM5.06bil rollout for Pahang infrastructure
By ROSLINA MOHAMAD Saturday May 28, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.as...sec=southneast

State Secretary Datuk Seri Muhammad Safian Ismail said the main road project which was already approved is the RM1.9bil central spine road linking central Pahang bordering Kelantan to Negri Sembilan.

“The 390km dual carriageway links Gua Musang (Kelantan) to Lipis, Raub, Karak, Bentong and down south to Pahang-Negri Sembilan border.

“However, the focus will be on a 276km stretch that is in Lipis, Raub and Bentong,’’ he said.

Muhammad Safian added that the project was divided into several packages and the stretch to be involved under the first rolling plan was from Kampung Kubang Rusa to Kampung Kechur in Lipis.

“It cost RM350mil for a road spanning 38km,” he added.

Another upgrading road work approved was the long and winding 183km stretch between Benta, Jerantut and Maran.

“It is a long-standing problem and has been raised many times during state assembly sittings including the recent one.

“The road is known for its sharp turns and bends,” he added.

The project, said Muhammad Safian, would also involve new alignments and land acquisition as well as replacing eight bridges.

Under the RPP, a six-kilometre road in Jerantut town RM50mil would also be implemented.

“The state was also expected to build an integrated palm oil cluster complex on a 200ha land in the Kuantan Port industrial area,” he said.

A business viability study would be carried out under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) masterplan, Muhammad Safian said, adding, it would house palm oil downstream activities.

He also said projects that were ongoing included the RM480mil International College of Automotive by DRB-HICOM Berhad while RM300mil had been allocated for infrastructure facilities in the Tanjung Agas oil and gas and maritime industrial park.

Both projects, he added, would be implemented in Pekan.

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Penang

New RM1.2bil dam to be built in Penang
Published: Monday May 30, 2011 MYT 5:18:00 PM
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...940&sec=nation

GEORGE TOWN: The federal government will build a new dam and enlarge the Mengkuang dam in Penang in a bid to increase water capacity in the state by 3.8 times.

State Barisan Nasional working committee chairman, Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, said the RM1.2bil project would be implemented soon.

To this end, an agreement will be inked between Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in Putrajaya on Thursday.

Dr Teng said the deal showed that the federal government had not forsaken Penang although Barisan was no longer at the helm.

"The project demonstrates that the Barisan federal government has not marginalised the state government led by the opposition pact, as claimed by Lim Guan Eng," he told reporters here Monday.

Dr Teng said that for the past 50 years, the Barisan government had been giving attention to the state's water supply needs, which included the construction of Air Itam, Teluk Bahang and Mengkuang dams. - Bernama

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Kelantan

RM144mil Allocated For Infrastructure Facilities In Kelantan This Year
2 Jan 2011
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...627&sec=nation

KOTA BARU: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry has allocated RM144mil to provide infrastructure facilities in Kelantan this year, Deputy Minister Datuk Hasan Malek said Sunday.

He said the projects included the provision of water and electricity supply, construction of roads, and building of houses for the poor.

"We expect more infrastructure projects to be implemented this year and the big allocation is being channeled to the state to ensure that all the people benefit," he told reporters after a school opening day function organized by the Kubang Kerian Umno, here.

At the event, 70 primary pupils and secondary students in the Kubang Kerian parliamentary constituency received schooling paraphernalia including uniforms and school bags.