Muhyiddin says thank you to people of Pengerang

NST 18 Dec 2012 9:41PM

By Ahmad Fairuz Othman and Jassmine Shadiqe

KOTA TINGGI: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today thanked the people of Pengerang for allowing for the development oil and gas hub.

He said the people stood to benefit tremendously from the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC), as it would bring about great benefits to the people's socio economy, and would become a major contributor in the country's economy.

"I appreciate the people's willingness to be relocated to new residences while leaving behind their traditional villages as without their support, the project would not be successful.

"The spillover affect (of the project) will not only be towards Petronas but also to the people of Johor. I thank all of you," said Muhyiddin during a speech at the "Sepetang Bersama Rakyat" at the Sungai Rengit square here yesterday.

About 1,000 families have been relocated and have accepted offers of compensation under the PIPC development plan.

Muhyiddin said the multibillion ringgit had receivedcriticism from Opposition leaders, but many of those issues were successfully resolved by the state government.

"Previously, Chua Jui Meng (state PKR chairman) wanted to cancel the project if the opposition won in the elections. Anwar (Ibrahim) then said he would delay it and not cancel to solve the problem.

"In the end, it was the state government that solved the problem," said Muhyiddin, adding that various development projects were in store for Pengerang with the PIPC.

Earlier, Muhyiddin attended a briefing on the PIPC project and visited its project site before joining the people's gathering at Sungai Rengit.

Later, Muhyiddin attended a closed door meeting and dinner with state Barisan Nasional leaders and members at the Le Grandeur hotel in Senai.