He stated that rising global geopolitical uncertainty—including security concerns regarding trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz—has highlighted the growing importance of the Straits of Malacca as a strategic international trade corridor.

“This is a Smart AI port; it is not a small-scale project. It addresses a strategic need because Malaysia is a maritime nation, and this port is strategically located along the Straits of Malacca.

“As Mr. Loke (the Transport Minister) mentioned earlier, questions have been raised in Parliament regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz; consequently, the Straits of Malacca has become a focal point, being one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

"If this area is among the busiest in the world and we merely watch ships pass by without capitalizing on the opportunity, we would not be acting wisely.

“While we already have ports in Penang, Klang, and PTP—and Singapore—there are now new projects, such as the one in Sanglang (spanning Kedah and Perlis), to meet immense demand. The need for transport and port facilities is surging, so we must ensure we have the necessary capacity,” he said.

He made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at the launch and groundbreaking ceremony for Midport, an AI-powered smart container port, here on Tuesday.

He added that the project’s development demonstrates the value of public-private partnerships in executing strategic initiatives without placing a heavy burden on government finances.

Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology enhances the project's competitiveness compared to conventional ports by boosting operational efficiency, saving time, and reducing costs.

“We welcomed this project because it does not burden government funds; moreover, it is a strategic port initiative, and its approach is highly efficient—leveraging AI to save time and cut costs." “It therefore holds an advantage over conventional ports; I believe the people of Negeri Sembilan—particularly in Port Dickson and Linggi—stand to benefit, as Linggi previously lacked a project capable of attracting investors to stimulate more vigorous local activity. Now, thanks to our success, Linggi and Port Dickson have been placed on a development map that rivals others in the region,” he added.

The project is a strategic joint venture between Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan (Incorporated)—or MBINS—and Midports Holdings Sdn. Bhd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tanco Holdings Berhad, with an estimated development cost of RM3.4 billion.

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