Wee clears up cargo transfer issue via video conference meeting

CORONAVIRUS | Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong held a virtual meet with Port Klang port operators and the Port Klang Authority (PKA) to clear up the issues of container congestion and cargo transfer.

Wee reported that Port Klang has reduced its congestion from nearly 100 percent to an expected 40 percent by Sunday. While in Penang Port, 1,871 containers have been cleared out of a total of 3,000 and in Johor Port, 1,700 containers have been moved out of 7,500.

"I am happy to note that container congestions at three major ports have been rapidly cleared since Friday. This will do a lot to ensure the smooth flow of essential goods for Malaysians and alleviate their pressures during the movement control order (MCO)," said Wee (above).

He said those present at the video conference meeting included representatives from the Shipping Association Malaysia (SAM), Selangor Freight Forwarders and Logistics Association (SFFLA), Association of Malaysian Hauliers (AMH), and Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).

"The Port of Tanjung Pelepas has also been given the green light to move their containers out to allow continuing export and import activities. Our economy’s robustness will depend on this, more so during the MCO period," said Wee.

He thanked port operators and companies for expediting the process by working around the clock from Friday to Sunday to quickly ensure the flow of goods to our communities is unimpeded.

"The ministry will share its standard operating procedure (SOP) on the port clearing process to all ports owned by the respective state governments so other ports will also be able to ensure low congestion in said ports.

"I am confident that these measures will do much to ensure the efficient delivery of essential goods imported for Malaysians during the MCO period," said Wee.

He added that he has requested a full report with recommendations from port operators on how to move goods out quickly during the MCO and to prevent high container congestion in the future.

Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders president Alvin Chua lauded Wee's quick action in resolving the issue.

He had earlier lamented a lack of clarity in instruction by the Transport Ministry over whether importers and manufacturers were allowed to open their factories to receive the goods, saying this confusion had led to a backlog of trucks queueing up for up to four kilometres. 

"It is now clear that non-essential goods can be transported to the warehouse of the importer and they can open to unload their goods.

"For exporters, they can open their warehouse to load ready goods (but not those for manufacturing unless approved by the International Trade and Industry Ministry) to fulfil their contract obligations," he told Malaysiakini.

"There are significant improvements in delivery and Port Klang managed to reduce its congestion to below 50 percent in this three days exercise," said Chua who thanked Wee for his direct action in resolving the issue. - Mkini