Port upgrade a boost to ECER

KUANTAN: The expansion of Kuantan Port marks another milestone in the development and transformation of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

The Prime Minister added that the RM4bil port expansion was expected to be a “game changer” in terms of the ECER’s positioning as a key investment and trade destination and expected to generate more than RM15bil in investments when completed in 2015.

The Federal Government will invest RM1bil and spearhead the development of a new deepwater terminal while the private sector will inject RM3bil.

“With the expansion, the port’s total throughput is expected to double to 52 million tonnes of cargo from the current 26 million tonnes,” he said.

Najib said an upgraded and modernised Kuantan Port would place Malaysia as one of the top trading nations in the world.

“Kuantan Port’s comparative advantage lies in its strategic location, facing the South China Sea and right in the middle of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

Keep supporting BN: Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wants the people to keep supporting the Barisan Nasional (BN) and allow the coalition to enhance the public transport system in the country.

In his Facebook today, the prime minister said the BN had drawn up a systematic plan to transform public transportation in the country.

"We, in the BN, are aware that public transport is important for people in the country," he said, while sharing his RapidKuantan bus ride experience yesterday.

He noted that there was an improvement in the public transport system.

He said the Kuantan central terminal at Bandar Indera Mahkota which would start operating in June, this year, was built to improve the living standard of the local population.

"The terminal will be a new landmark to the rapid development in Kuantan when fully completed next June," he said.

While visiting the terminal yesterday, Najib said the public transport transformation was important for the country to achieve developed nation status and its efficiency would enable people in the urban and rural areas to enjoy better convenience.

The terminal, built at a cost of RM55 million, can accommodate 46 buses at one time and will have parking facilities for 354 vehicles and 170 motorcycles, a food court and two fastfood restaurants. -- BERNAMA

(Source: http://www.nst.com.my)

PM Najib launches Military Community Volunteering Day at 32 camps nationwide

KUANTAN: A total of 32 armed forces installations opened their doors for public viewing for the first time on Saturday as part of the Blue Ocean strategy.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the pioneer initiative was to foster a closer rapport between the security forces comprising army, navy and air forces with the people.

"Peace and security is the most important element for a country's success.

"Malaysia will not be where she is today without the willingness of a group of citizens to put their lives on the line.
"At the same time, other citizens must give their full support and appreciate their sacrifices," he said in a speech at the Kuantan air force base here when launching the Military Community Volunteering Day.

Also present were Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and armed forces chief Jen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.

Earlier, Najib arrived at the air base onboard a new army helicopter, the Eurocopter EC725.

There were also demonstrations of a hostage rescue and army warfare as well as a rendition of the Korean hit song Gangnam Style by the air force band.

(Source: The Star Online)

Najib is all praise for Jackie Chan

Najib and Chan on stage at the fund-raising dinner for SM Chong Hwa in Kuantan on Saturday

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Jackie Chan. A man for all seasons.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is all praise for the Hong Kong movie superstar for contributing much of his time and money to various charities throughout the years.

He said Chan's appearance at the SM Chong Hwa fund-raising dinner in Kuantan on Saturday night was no exception.

Through the auctioning of various merchandise belonging to the martial arts icon, the proceeds will go towards the construction of the school, he said.

"It was a pleasure to be at Stadium Darul Makmur yesterday night, together with Jackie Chan, a renowned superstar, philanthropist and role model to Chinese people worldwide," Najib said in his latest Facebook post.

He said the government acknowledged the importance of education to the Chinese community and various initiatives were implemented towards ensuring they were not left out in the nation's development.

MCKIP officially open for business

KUANTAN: With billions of ringgit in investments coming to life after just four months, the highly anticipated Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) is now officially open for business.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the park yesterday, made possible by Malaysia-China relations being on an “unprecedented high”.

The park in Gebeng here is expected to be fully completed in two years. It has already attracted investment commitments worth RM10.5bil and will create 8,500 jobs.

Naib said it was the first industrial park in Malaysia to be accorded national status which will see it driven by the private sector but guided by the Government.

Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference of the People's Republic of China chairman Jia Qinglin attributed the park a sister project of the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park (QIP) to the personal commitment of the two prime ministers and efforts of local governments and businesses of both countries.