King Officiates At Maharani Freeport Launch
MUAR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim today officiated at the launch of Maharani Freeport located at the Maharani Energy Gateway (MEG) Complex in Tanjung Emas here.
His Majesty arrived at 10.53 am and was received by the Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail; Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj; Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Al-Haj; as well as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“With great pleasure, I hereby officiate Maharani Freeport. Thank you,” declared Sultan Ibrahim.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, and MEG executive chairman Datuk Dr Daing A Malek Daing A Rahaman were also present.
The event was attended by over 1,500 guests, including diplomats from over 30 countries and local and international business leaders.
According to MEG’s statement, the port project is located within the Muar Port area along the Straits of Malacca — one of the busiest oil shipping routes in the world — and is targeted to become a world-class energy and maritime services hub.
The national project developed by MEG is expected to attract RM144 billion in long-term investments from global investors. It will have a significant multiplier impact on the state and the national economy.
Maharani Freeport is also expected to create around 45,000 direct and indirect job opportunities in the logistics, ship repair, construction, services, and support industries.
“Maharani Freeport has commenced operations in oil trading, storage, ship-to-ship transfer, blending, bunkering, marine services, deep-sea port operations, and floating storage units,” the statement said.
The Maharani Freeport master plan involves 1,295 hectares (3,200 acres) of reclaimed land. The three artificial islands have four main components: the Maharani Energy Hub, the Maharani Deep Seaport, the Maharani Freeport Industrial Park, and the Maharani Freeport Financial Hub.
The hub will serve as a one-stop centre for oil trading, storage, blending, bunkering, ship maintenance, and deep-sea services.
-- BERNAMA