Port Klang transport workers threaten to strike

        Commercial vehicle drivers in Port Klang threatened a week-long strike this week unless the government immediately repairs the roads connected to Malaysia’s main seaport.

　　 Port Klang District Councillor Azmi Zamzaman Huri made a threat when discussing the Selangor state budget in the legislative session recently.

　　 According to reports, Huli said that if the federal government does not allocate funds to the state government to repair the road to Port Klang, transporters will strike.

　　 This threat has aroused concern among stakeholders, who said it will cause massive damage to the state and even the whole country's supply chain management.

　　 Stakeholders who manage and provide port operations and logistics services in Port Klang claim that this threat is unreasonable, unreasonable and irresponsible.

　　 The strike will cause problems such as the interruption of the logistics chain for the supply of raw materials, food, vegetables, fruits and medical supplies, and may hinder the trade and economic sectors that are recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, they said in a joint statement

　　 "We urge and hope that all parties, including commercial vehicle drivers, will not engage in such irresponsible behavior," they pointed out.

　　On the contrary, they urge all parties to conduct consultations and discussions to emphasize this matter and to seek friendly solutions through the right channels, especially to ensure that sufficient funding is provided for road repairs and maintenance in Port Klang as in the past.

The 11 stakeholders that made the appeal include Port Klang Authority, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd, Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Port Klang Free Zone Sdn Bhd, Malaysian Transport Association, Selangor Freight Forwarders and Logistics Association, Malaysian Federation of Freight Forwarders, Cargo Service Association Malaysia, Malaysian Shipping Association, Central Region Shipping Association and Malaysian Shipowners Association.

　　The authorities predict that Port Klang handled 13.6 million TEUs in 2019 and will be able to handle 13.8 million TEUs this year, in line with the pre-pandemic growth trend.