TANJUNG MALIM - The construction of a new 60-kilometre gas pipeline by Gas Malaysia Berhad (Gas Malaysia) from Bidor to Proton City near here is progressing smoothly.
Gas Malaysia Group chief executive officer Ahmad Hashimi Abdul Manap said that the project which started in March involved a cost of nearly RM100 million and has surpassed the first phase of development with 20 per cent completion.
With this positive progress, he said that the construction of the natural gas pipeline network can be completed within the required two-year timeframe, which was by 2025.
"The contract was awarded earlier this year and we have received good cooperation from all relevant authorities including agencies at the district level along the gas network route.
"The construction is being carried out briskly and in certain areas you can see that the pipelines are already in place," he said during a Gas Malaysia corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme with the local community in Kampung Pos Bersih, Ulu Slim, near Behrang, yesterday.
Also present at the event were Behrang assemblyman Salina Samsudin and District Chief Datuk Dr Safry Kamal Ahmad.
Hashimi said the pipeline project was capable of meeting the demand for natural gas for industrial use along the network area including the Proton automotive company that operated here.
He said that this development will also support the growth of new industries, boosting the domestic economy and providing employment opportunities for the people.
"Previously, Gas Malaysia was also involved in the construction of natural gas networks in several locations in Perak, including Lumut, Taiping and the Kinta Valley.
"This time, it's special because it involves a high-impact area and we know that the state government has a focus on making it a Automotive High-Tech Valley (AHTV)," he said.
During the CSR programme, Gas Malaysia provided 40 food baskets to groups of indigenous communities and contributed RM10,000 in zakat wakalah to help complete the construction of a surau in Kampung Bangkong, Pos Bersih.
In cooperation with the Perak Forestry Department, the company also initiated the planting of 150 trees and fruit trees and conducted cleanup activities along the riverbanks.
Previously, it was reported that Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said that the project to build a natural gas pipeline from Kampung Kuala Bikam, Bidor to Proton City, Tanjung Malim will provide various benefits to at least eight surrounding industrial areas and has the potential to attract new investments.
The project will also strengthen the natural gas pipeline network in the state of Perak, which currently has five natural gas pipelines in Parit Buntar (8km), Taiping (46km), Sitiawan (38km), Teluk Intan (27km), and the Kinta Valley (140km).