Tenders for the relevant contract closed on February 26, 1997.

Commenting on the development, informed sources pointed out that, although the existence of the project has yet to be officially publicised through the normal channels like in the 7th Malaysia Plan and the recently released 1995 annual report of KTMB, the building of the proposed rail link is a logical undertaking considering the circumstances of the Tanjung Pelepas Port project.

"Most important ports within and outside Malaysia including the first Johor port of Pasir Gudang at the eastern end of Johor Straits are linked to the hinterland of the port by railway lines", an informed source told the Straits Shipper last week.

"Since the all-new Tanjung Pelepas Port at the Western end of Johor Straits is meant to complement and supplement the operation of Pasir Gudang Port and since the Tanjung Pelepas area (like the Pasir Gudang area itself) is within easy reach of the main "north-south" KTMB railway line across Peninsular Malaysia, it makes good and reasonable sense for the new Tanjung Pelepas Port which is currently under construction to be provided with a rail link as well.

"It was only a matter of time before the rail link proposal gets announced and, as it happens, the existence of the proposal has now been indirectly disclosed through the soil investigation tender notice published by KTMB."

The source added that, in the case of Pasir Gudang Port, the rail link takes the form of an extension of the existing north-south railway line from the junction point of Pulai and not Johor Baru itself an arrangement which no doubt will be duplicated for the Tanjung Pelepas railway line, to avoid the need for a costly and problem - plagued route across the built-up and congested Johor Baru area between Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Pelepas.

Meanwhile, in a related development, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ling Liong Sik has shed more light on the building of a well-anticipated rail link between the relatively new North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) in Penang to the existing KTMB railway terminal at Perai (Butterworth).

Speaking to reporters in connection with a political party meeting in Kampar (Perak) on February 17, the Minister disclosed that the extension line would measure only 2.0 km in length but the existence and operation of the projected extension line would greatly facilitate the movement of seaborne cargo (especially transhipment cargo from southern Thailand) through Penang Port at the all-important NBCT which began commercial operations from July 1996.

Ling explained that, without the relevant rail link, containerised cargo entering and leaving the country through Penang Port has had no alternative but to pass through the NBCT facilities only by road - an arrangement which is costly, time consuming and inefficient as a whole because of the unsatisfactory and congested conditions which continue to prevail in the "back-of-port" area around the NBCT.

According to Ling, the project would involve quite a high investment "because it would take the form of an elevated track" across an area that is already well developed and prone to traffic congestion".

As the Straits Shipper has itself reported late last year, speculation remains rife as to the identity of the relevant contractor or contractors which would be awarded the right to finance, build and operate the projected RM150 million NBCT rail link for the relevant concession period (see issue of September 9 - 15, 1996).

The reportedly "well-connected" entity known as the Abrar Group International is believed to be among the leading contenders for the contract, through the activities of its newly-restructured textile trading subsidiary, Mun Loong Bhd.

Recent disclosures have also indicated that, in the case of the much-anticipated rail link between Westport at Pulau Indah and the existing KTMB railway terminal at South Port in Port Klang, the project is still in its design and planning stage.