A MALAYSIAN tuna fishing and trading enterprise is spearheading efforts to enhance agro-tourism in Penang. Its ambitious plan involves transforming the warehouses surrounding Swettenham Pier into a vibrant tuna landing port, alongside other innovative ventures.
Alpha Ocean Resources Berhad (AORB) deputy chief executive officer Sylvester Pua briefed Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow about the company’s preliminary conceptual design proposal for the ‘Cove by the Pier’ project.
“The Cove by the Pier project proposal highlights six zones – a tuna landing zone (Zone One), Maritime Legacy (Zone Two), Heritage Luxe (Zone Three), Culinary Bay (Zone Four), Urban Retreat (Zone Five), and Market Wharf (Zone Six).
“We are additionally suggesting the creation of a designated strip to foster bazaar-style commerce,” Sylvester said in his briefing during a courtesy visit at Komtar today.
Sylvester expressed the company’s aspiration to enhance the initial impression of cruise passengers as they disembark from their ships and promote entrepreneurship among the locals.
He added that the company took note of the heritage components of Swettenham Pier and its vicinity.
During the meeting, AORB project manager Nosly Wazid Kasmani also presented the company’s super-frozen (-60°C) tuna and seafood export project proposal to Chow.
“This project, following the Organisation For the Promotion of Responsible Tuna Fisheries (OPRT) standards, complements the proposed ‘Cove by the Pier’ project,” he said.
Chow thanked the company for briefing the state about the proposals.
He said this was not the first time the state was briefed on the proposal to transform the warehouses surrounding the Swettenham Pier and its vicinity.
“Nevertheless, the Penang Port Commission (PPC), a statutory body under the purview of the Transport Ministry, is responsible for the administration of Penang Port, encompassing its development and utilisation.
“I believe the company had also presented its proposals to PPC, Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), and the Transport Ministry.
“I also trust that the company is serious about implementing the projects and I hope they will be given due consideration by the ministry and the relevant bodies,” Chow said.
Also present were AORB chief executive officer Datuk Ricky Pua Woon Kee, the company’s key stakeholders, and business partners from Taiwan and Japan.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad