Published June 24, 2009

Pahang hoping for a smoother ride from S'pore

By PAULINE NG
IN KUALA LUMPUR

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THE state of Pahang is hoping for better road links to attract more Singaporean investments and tourists, especially if a proposal for a third bridge linking both countries on the eastern side materializes.

Following a visit by Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew last week, Pahang Mentri Besar Adnan Yaakob had observed a comprehensive road system between Johor-Kuantan-Pekan would boost business and tourism activities from Singapore, a local newspaper reported.

'We hope Singaporeans can have a faster and smoother drive to Kuantan under a proposed third link mooted by the federal government,' The Star newspaper quoted him as saying.

Should the bridge be built, the areas between Mersing and Pekan would be eventually developed, he said, with the government likely to improve road networks.

Mr Adnan also revealed 16 Singapore firms had invested a total of RM600 million (S$246 million) in the state to-date, and that the investments - mainly in wood-based products, textiles and machineries - had created 6,000 jobs.

Peninsular Malaysia's biggest state, Pahang's rainforests and beaches are popular tourist attractions. The most popular destination, however, appears to be the hill resort of Genting Highlands which attracted most of the 3 million visitors from Singapore last year.

But it was Tioman, which received special mention from Mr Lee, who made the observation that the island could be transformed into a top scuba diving site given its clear waters.

Mr Adnan said Mr Lee who had visited Pahang as part of an 8-day visit to Malaysia, had also suggested ways to improve trade and bilateral ties.

One mega project which Pahang is keen to promote, is a proposed integrated oil & gas and maritime industrial park covering 1,620 hectares in the hamlet of Tanjung Agas.

At a groundbreaking ceremony over the weekend, Prime Minister Najib Razak stated the RM2 billion park could be granted free trade zone status upon its completion in 2016.

The government has already approved RM150 million under the second stimulus package for infrastructure works in the park and Mr Najib, who is also the Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Pekan, has indicated the amount could be increased in the future.

The Tanjung Agas park is to be developed by a private company in which the Pahang State Development Corporation holds a 30 per cent stake. The state hopes the project will leapfrog its ambitions to be a regional oil and gas hub but needs to draw the right companies to invest. Some 5,000 jobs are to be created in the first phase, and an estimated 30,000 over the next decade.