Mp Slams Penang Port Over Illegal Berthing Of Iranian Tug

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Butterworth container terminal. An Iranian tug is reported to have been berthed at the terminal reportedly without permission and was later moved to the Prai wharf. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Penang port authorities and the state government have been taken to task by an MP after an Iranian vessel docked illegally at the Butterworth container terminal.
Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim said that the arrival of the Iranian tug Fire Man was a serious matter concerning national security.
“How could the authorities be unaware that this foreign ship has docked in Butterworth without permission? Imagine what would happen if the ship ferried ‘terrorists’ on board or its crew members were positive Covid-19 cases or were carriers of other diseases?” he said in a statement.
The tug was reported to have docked at North Butterworth Container Terminal last week without clearance from the port authorities. The crew were reported to have run out of food and money and the tug was out of fuel. Two crew members were taken to hospital for treatment.
The Star reported this evening that the vessel had been moved to Prai wharf and was being readied for departure.
Sim accused the Penang Port Commission of having “clearly neglected their duties in maintaining the port and the welfare of Penangites”. He urged PPC chairman Tan Teik Cheng to resign.
The commission regulates matters concerning Penang port. However port operations are managed by Penang Port Sdn Bhd, a company that is part of the public-listed MMC Group. - FMT

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