October 31, 2008 [Bernama] - The proposed oil storage terminal to be built on the waters of Pulau Besar, Melaka, by end 2010, will have a storage capacity of 250,000 metric tonnes of petroleum. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said work on the project, costing RM700 million, will start once the Environment Impact Assessment report and other related reports are completed in six months.
“The project will provide the facility for ships wishing to make Melaka their spot for the collection of processed oil,” he told reporters after the signing of a memorandum of understanding related to the project, here, Friday. The project is to be carried out through a joint venture between Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Melaka (PKNM), Pristine Oil Capital Sdn Bhd and Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd. The uninhabited Pulau Besar island meanwhile was a popular site among traders during the Melaka sultanate period where they stopped for drinking water.
Among the historical sites here popular with tourists is the well of “Nenek Kebayan” and others including ancient burial grounds. At the event today, PKNM was represented by Chairman of the State Committee for Industrialisation, Trade and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Md Yunos Husin and its general manager Zainal Abu while Pristine Oil Capital Sdn Bhd was represented by its chief executive officer, Kamarulzaman Mohamed. Siemens Malaysia was represented by its president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Rainer Altof. Mohd Ali who is also chairman of PKNM said the terminal will be built on a reclaimed sea area covering 32 hectares in front of Pulau Besar. Kamarulzaman said the terminal will be one of the largest to cater to the South East Asia region. The project is expected to help drive socio-economic growth in the surrounding areas including the development of a township as well as downstream activities and job opportunities for the locals. Other related infrastructures are also expected to be built here including a recreation centre in Pulau Besar which will provide accommodation.
