A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Senari Synergy Sdn Bhd and Kemaman Bitumen Company Sdn Bhd in respect of the collaboration for the import, storage and distribution of bitumen and bitumen related products in the state of Sarawak on 26th October 2016.
The collaboration is with Kemaman Bitumen Company Sdn Bhd, a company well renowned for owning one of its kind-refinery in the entire South East Asia that is designed to process heavy crude oil and produces high quality bitumen. The company has access to the latest technology in refining, logistics support as well as product development and application through its international partners and associate companies. The company has emerged as a key player in the South East Asia region and enjoys a solid reputation as a specialised and reliable producer of high quality bitumen.
The ceremony was witnessed by Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, Minister of Industrial and Entreprenuer Development, Trade and Investment and also the Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment, together with Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hj. Bujang Mohd Noor, Chairman of Senari Synergy Sdn Bhd and Mr Chaiwat Srivalwat, Chairman of Kemaman Bitumen Company.
Hj. Jefri Ahmad Tambi, Managing Director of Senari Synergy in his welcoming remark thanked Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar for witnessing the MOU. He said that the proposed facility will be developed on approximately two (2) acres of land within the Senari Synergy Industrial Complex. The proposed facility will comprise of a 4,000 metric tonne tank, a 500 metric tonne holding tank, a loading gantry and other related infrastructure and amenities. The facilities, once completed, will be able to facilitate uninterrupted and timely delivery of bitumen for the Pan Borneo Highway Development. The overall investment is estimated to cost about RM30million.
“ The signing of the MOU’s today is a reflection of our support towards Sarawak State Government aspiration to promote local companies direct participation, particularly state related companies, in the oil and gas and its associated industries” he said.
He further added that, in addition to the creation of more business and job opportunities, the investment will also promote technology transfer and will serve as a training platform for local college and university graduate.
Yang Berhormat Datuk Awang Tengah congratulated Senari Synergy for driving the initiative to construct its own bitumen facilities together with Kemaman Bitumen Company, to optimise the opportunity arising from the Sarawak Socio-Economic Transformation Program that begins the 11th Malaysian Plan (2016-2020), especially in seizing the opportunities from the infrastructure development.
He is happy to note that through this initiative indicates that we are not merely bystanders in the mega development that is on-going in the State. As more roads and other infrastructures are built to improve the accessibility within the State and with the development of the Pan Borneo Highway Project, it is foreseen that there will be an increase in demand in the bitumen and bitumen related products. Hence, it will be such a great loss should the local players be unable to seize the opportunities arising from the economic spin off from such immense development in the State.
He added, “In the current challenging landscape of the economy where the global crude oil prices are weak together with a shrinking oil and gas sector, it is imperative that companies remain relevant. They must be able to pool their respective resources, both in terms of technology and human capital development.
The investment is also expected to generate approximately 100 employment opportunities during the construction period and there will be technology transfer when fully operational. The investment will provide the spin off effect to the Senari Synergy existing oil gas and chemicals jetty where it will benefit through increase throughput volume and tariff.
He ended his speech by urging and calling upon the local industry players, directly and indirectly related to this business to support by buying the bitumen products from this Joint Venture Company.