Malaysia: Benalec, Salcon abort talks on Tg Piai water project

M. HAFIDZ MAHPAR The Star 18 Aug 16;

PETALING JAYA: Benalec Holdings Bhd and Salcon Bhd have called off talks on the proposed water supply and sewerage treatment infrastructure in the 1,411-ha Tanjung Piai Integrated Petroleum and Maritime Industrial Park (TPIPMIP) in Johor.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed by their units in August last year, was aimed at forming the framework geared towards exploratory efforts for establishing the water infrastructure.

However, the MoU has lapsed, the marine engineering firm told Bursa Malaysia on Thursday, adding that “the parties have no intention of extending the validity of the MoU”.

Benalec said it had recently appointed a water infrastructure consultant and was in the midst of finalising the water infrastructure design for TPIPMIP.

“Once the design is finalised and approvals have been obtained from the relevant authorities, Benalec will then engage engineering companies to commence construction works,” it added.

According to Benalec, there is no financial impact and obligation on the company regarding the terminated talks.

Benalec’s indirect unit Tanjung Piai Maritime Industries Sdn Bhd had entered into the MoU with Salcon Engineering, a leading water and wastewater engineering company in Asia, in August last year. The contract was initially expected to be concluded within six months.

Incidentally, just two months ago, Benalec had announced that the Department of Environment had approved reclamation works for the remaining two phases (Phase 2 and Phase 3) of the 1,411-ha TPIPMIP project in Johor.

Benalec shares fell one sen to close at 43 sen on Thursday, while Salcon shares slid one sen also to 63 sen.