TRANSPORT MINISTRY CONFIRMS EIA BEING CARRIED OUT FOR LABUAN INTEGRATED PORT

LABUAN (Malaysia), May 29 (Bernama) -- The Transport Ministry has confirmed
that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), is being carried out for the
proposed Labuan Integrated Port (LIP) in East Malaysia state of Sabah.

Deputy Transport Minister Abd Rahim Bakri said once the EIA is completed, it
would be submitted to the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) for the 10th Malaysia
Plan budget.

"The EIA is being undertaken.Once completed, we will submit it to the EPU
for the next course of action. As it is a future investment from the government,
the port must operate in a suitable area," he told reporters at a press
conference after visiting the Marine Department Friday as part of his working
visit to Labuan.

The LIP, to reportedly cost RM300 million, will be located at a 150-hectare
site at Rancha-Rancha here and is scheduled for construction under the 10th
Malaysia Plan.

Rahim also said that his Ministry is still drafting the Act for the
soon-to-be-established Malaysian Port Commission.

The Commission will act and function as the regulatory body for all ports in
the country.
--BERNAMA