No land acquisition for AI smart port project in PD, says Aminuddin

 Menteri besar also addresses concerns over the livelihoods of fishermen and communities that depend on Sungai Linggi.

Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun said the smart port project in Port Dickson will be developed entirely on land owned by Tanco Holdings Bhd and its subsidiary, Midports Holdings Sdn Bhd.

SEREMBAN:

The AI-powered smart port project in Port Dickson will be developed entirely on land owned by Tanco Holdings Bhd and its subsidiary, Midports Holdings Sdn Bhd, without the need to acquire any additional land, menteri besar Aminuddin Harun says.

He dismissed allegations that the project would involve the acquisition of about 566 hectares of land including village areas, forest reserves, customary land, industrial zones, agricultural land and residential lots, describing them as baseless.

“We will not sacrifice a single village to implement this project. There will be no land acquisition, and no forest reserves will be affected. Furthermore, there is no customary land in Port Dickson. Customary land exists only in Kuala Pilah, Jelebu, Rembau and Tampin.

“The development will take place entirely on land owned by Tanco Holdings Bhd, which has approximately 202 hectares designated for the port project,” he said in a video on Facebook.

Aminuddin said the first phase of the project, which has an investment value of RM3.4 billion, is expected to become a catalyst for Port Dickson’s economic development and could transform the area into a duty-free commercial hub.

He also described the development as a “game changer” that would generate significant economic benefits for local communities, particularly in Linggi and Pasir Panjang.

He assured residents that the state government would continue to safeguard the interests of the Malay community and protect the land owned by local people.

“I will ensure that Malay-owned land remains secure and protected. We do not want the public to be misled or intimidated by false information,” he said.

Addressing concerns over the livelihoods of fishermen and communities that depend on Sungai Linggi, Aminuddin said the project does not involve Kampung Tanjung Agas, Kampung Sungai Raya or the river itself.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of fishermen and said the confusion likely arose from another port development, the Kuala Linggi International Port, which is located on the Negeri Sembilan–Melaka border and falls under the administration of the Melaka government.

On July 14, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the Midport development would strengthen Malaysia’s position as a regional digital and maritime hub while enhancing the country’s capacity to meet growing global trade demands.

He described the AI-powered port project as a strategic necessity for a maritime nation, located along the Straits of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. - FMT