Len Talif hits the gong to mark the start of TMP’s 10th anniversary celebration.

SIBU: The federal and Sarawak governments have spent more than RM3.4 billion in infrastructure to support the development of Tanjung Manis since 1990s.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said public amenities and infrastructure facilities such as airport, seaport, roads, telecommunication system, power plant and water supply would be upgraded to meet demand in support of all the industries in Tanjung Manis.

“With the development of Tanjung Manis Economic Growth Area (T-MEGA), the hinterland will generate mixed cargo ranging from bulk cargo such as fertilisers, fish meals, CPO (crude palm oil), palm kernel extract, palm kernel shell, processed fish products as well as agriculture products such as pineapples, and coconut fruit-based products from Sarikei,” he spoke during Tanjung Manis Integrated Port (TMP)’s 10th anniversary dinner at RH Hotel here on Monday

His text-of-speech was read out by Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh.

Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs Abdullah Saidol, Daro assemblyman Safiee Ahmad, Department of Safety and Health (DOSH) Sarawak director Dr Nor Halim Hasan and TMP chairman Datu Sarudu Hoklai were among those present.

On TMP’s anniversary celebration, Awang Tengah – also the Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development – said as a young port of only 10 years old, he believed it had made tremendous strides amidst immense challenges since the start of its operations.

Like any other ports which play the role of catalyst for international trade, he hoped TMP would continue to contribute to, facilitate, promote and develop diversified niche services, and to serve as the catalyst of economic development in Sarawak and in T-MEGA.

In the early 1990s, Tanjung Manis was originally developed as a timber processing zone to cater for industry in central Sarawak. After the world economic downturn in 1998, Tanjung Manis’ development diversified to cater for deep-sea fishing industry with the Marine Fisheries Department having built an integrated deep-sea fishery port in support of the development of aquaculture-based industry and other related industries.

When the government conceptualised SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy) Development Master Plan in 2008, Tanjung Manis was identified as one of important economic growth nodes, focusing on priority industries such as timber, shipbuilding, repair and maintenance, palm oil industry cluster, fisheries, aquaculture and agriculture based on halal concept.

Other supporting industries based on market demands and services also emerged, Awang Tengah said, adding that Tanjung Manis was progressively developed into a mixed industrial zone.

He said the government has always given great emphasis to the overall development of Sarawak by providing basic infrastructure facilities, opening up new areas for the benefit of the people – in this regard, Tanjung Manis is of no exception.

He said the development of priority industries in T-MEGA would provide employment as well as business opportunities for the locals.

“For example, Sun-walley Holdings Sdn Bhd – a subsidary of Fuzian Dade, a China-based company – is already based in Tanjung Manis, embarking on aquaculture (prawn culturing) which requires 1,900 workers.

“Initially, 400 workers were employed to start their operation.”

He said as other industries came in, there would be tremendous spin-offs in terms of employment and supporting businesses that the locals could participate in.

“Tanjung Manis is blessed with a natural deep-water port facility, served by liners connecting the world through premier ports in Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Klang.

“Port development is being implemented to cater for increasing demands incorporating free trade zone concept in the near future.

“As the main port here, Tanjung Manis will be a rich breeding ground for emerging related support services for timber, shipbuilding, food processing, oil and gas, and the service industries that complement these types of development,” he said.

With the dredging of Kuala Rajang, the port capacity could be enhanced. There is also plan for future expansion once the development in the T-MEGA has fully taken off.