LET’S STOP PORT PRIVATISATION, PENANG DAP TO BN

The Penang DAP has offered to work with the state Barisan Nasional to halt the privatisation of Penang Port Sdn Bhd.

State DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said there should be no problems for the BN to cross the political divide on the matter as it concerned the state's economic future.

"DAP is against the privatisation of Penang Port … I would like to invite Teng Chang Yeow (Penang BN chairman) to support this campaign," he said when launching the 'Return the Port to Penang' signature campaign aimed at halting the privatisation process.

The state BN has urged the federal government to review its decision to privatise the port following feedback form local industries and public sentiments.

Teng had said the matter should be bought back to the National Economic Council (NEC) for review and deliberation.

He had also said the BN would send a delegation to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak on the matter.

DAP's campaign and the state BN's call for the review followed the revelation that Seaport Terminal (Johor) Sdn Bhd, owned by tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, was given the go-ahead to take Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) private.

Chow also called upon Teng to urged the federal authorities to start work on deepening the port, which had been stopped in view of the privatisation.

"Opposing the privatisation of the Penang Port is not sufficient if the port is not dredged," he added. - The Sun