Malaysian PM: Cost, Environmental Evaluation Prior to Pipeline Project Start

Text of report in English by Malaysian website Malaysiakini on 9 July

[Report by Yoges Palaniappan: "Oil pipeline: Gov't will look into several issues"]

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has given his assurance that the government will only kick start the Trans-Peninsular Oil Pipeline project after evaluating several issues.

In a parliamentary written reply today, Abdullah said the government has received suggestions from several companies to build the pipeline.

“Among the proposals, is the need to ease congestion and reduce accidents in the Straits of Malacca.

“We agree with the concept put forward by the companies. The reason why we agree is among others the cost of the pipeline construction will be borne fully by the companies,” he said.

However, he said the government will look into several issues before making a decision.

Huge investment

“Building marine facilities in the north and east coasts need huge investments and detailed research. We must determine whether or not the location is suitable to be made a port,” he explained.

Abdullah said the government would also compare the cost between transporting oil using large crude carriers and via the pipeline.

“We will also see whether the oil pipeline construction complies with the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), including the risks of oil leakages and social impact on local residents,” he added.

In May, Abdullah had confirmed the construction of the RM23.8 billion oil pipeline citing it to be one of the major initiatives to develop the northern region.

The 312km pipeline from Yan, Kedah to Bachok, Kelantan, will run from northwestern Kedah, across Perak to northeastern Kelantan.

Bio-tech projects

In another development, the Dewan Rakyat was told that the government spent RM102.9 million to sponsor biotechnology projects under the Eighth Malaysia Plan.

“The money was spent on 47 projects by the national biotechnology division under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation,” said the ministry’s parliamentary secretary Dr Mohd Ruddin Abd Ghani.

“During the five-year period, we were granted nine local and international patents. Whereas, 58 patents are under review,” he said, adding that the government also invested in human capital.

“A total of 505 post graduates and PhD holders will be generated within five years. This also includes nine post doctorate students,” he said.

Mohd Ruddin (BN-Bukit Katil) was responding to a query from Syed Razlan Syed Putra Jamalullail (BN-Arau) who asked the minister of science, technology and innovation to state the current progress in biotechnology put into use and proven to be beneficial to the country.

The parliamentary secretary explained that among the biotechnology firms that succeeded in penetrating the market are Malaysian Bio-Diagnostic Research Sdn Bhd and KL Biotech Manufacturing Sdn Bhd.

“These are mere examples. The government hopes that more biotechnology researchers will market their products,” he said.

(c) 2007 BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.