Plans to restore the port sector as a major economic contributor to Malacca like it was in the past are realistic and implementable, said a state executive council member.

State Public Works, Transport and Public Amenities Committee chairman Mohd Sofi Abdul Wahab said it was due to Malacca's strategic position, as well as the existence of multi-functional ports.

"The ports are the Tanjung Bruas and Kuala Linggi ports. At the same time, the construction of an international cruise passenger terminal under the Malacca Gateway project is expected to be completed by the end of next year," he told Bernama.

Mohd Sofi said once the international cruise passenger terminal was completed, it would become a hub for luxury cruise ships and increase tourist arrivals to the state.

"The Malacca Gateway project is expected to create 45,000 to 60,000 jobs, as well as vast business opportunities to hawkers and small traders to increase their income," he said.

It was previously reported that the Tanjung Bruas Port would be developed at a cost of RM160 million.

On the Tanjung Bruas Port project, Mohd Sofi said it was aimed at transforming the port to be on par with the port of Tanjung Pelepas and Port Klang in the future.

He said the state government, in collaboration with Tanjung Bruas Port Sdn Bhd, would upgrade the infrastructure and basic facilities at the port to ensure it can be used by container ships for import and export business in the future.

Mohd Sofi said works on the Kuala Linggi International Port's (Klip) expansion project was expected to commence at the latest by September next year.

"The port will be transformed into a trading hub and upgraded to accommodate larger ships," he said, adding that the port expansion project, which included the deepening of the Kuala Linggi estuary, would also provide employment opportunities for the locals.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Adly Zahari (above), when winding up the debate on the 2020 state budget recently, said with an estimated 100,000 vessels passing through the Straits of Malacca each year, the port sector had great potential to become an economic contributor to the state.

He said the Tanjung Bruas Port had handled 715,911 tonnes of cargo this year, compared with 644,719 tonnes in 2016.

"The port has also handled 5,039 units of containers from April to date, and the number is expected to increase between 10,000 and 15,000 units by December. The Roll-on Roll-off facility will also begin operations by 2020," he said.

Adly said the Klip development project, which included a ship repair yard, tank farm, marine fabrication yard and other marine and port supporting services, was expected to create 6,000 jobs.