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According to Malaysian Cable Manufacturers Association (MCMA) president Datuk Dr Abdul Razak Abdul, the Bakun hydroelectric project is envisaged to benefit the local electric cable industry through the bigger role expected in procuring or even producing the specialised cables for the project. “We could use this project, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity, to jumpstart a new industry in Malaysia, so local manufacturers and MCMA should be involved. If local companies are involved, the spill-over effects such as the setting up of new plants and job opportunities would be great for the economy,” he told StarBiz. He added that the transfer of this specialised technology to manufacture submarine cables via joint ventures to Malaysia would be highly valued since only about five international companies in the world were able to produce submarine cables.
“Malaysia Boleh; we have gone to space, so why can’t we lay cables underwater,” Abdul Razak said. MCMA has a few members including Federal Power Sdn Bhd, Leader Cable Industry Bhd, Universal Cable (M) Bhd and Power Cables (M) Sdn Bhd with the capacity and contacts to manufacture submarine cables. Federal Power for example, has participated in the laying of about 14km of submarine cables from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi.
Synergy Drive Bhd president and group chief executive Datuk Seri Ahmad Zubir Murshid had said the party to be awarded the contract must have the expertise and financial capability to see the project through. Synergy Drive last week received a letter of intent from the Government to take up a 60% stake in Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd, the owner of the 2,400MW Bakun hydroelectric dam project. The project also involves laying two 700km submarine cables from Tanjung Datu to Johor, overland lines covering the 600km from Bakun to Tanjung Datu and overland lines from the landing site in Johor to Bentong, 300km away.
It was reported earlier that the 700km undersea cable could cost up to RM15bil. The participation of local manufacturers would also benefit MCMA and Sirim Bhd. Sirim, the national standards development agency, has appointed MCMA a standards writing organisation (SWO). The appointment of SWOs is akin to Sirim sub-contracting the writing of standards to public or private organisations, while Sirim facilitates the implementation of these standards.
The strategic appointment of MCMA enables the association to prepare standards on electric cables and wires for the power and telecommunication industries. “MCMA would be able to write standards at a low cost for submarine cables if local players are involved as it would exclude foreign consultants fees,” Abdul Razak said, adding that Sirim had a limited budget for writing various standards. He added that being upgraded to write standards for specialised cables was in line with MCMA and Sirim’s objective to support the nation’s endeavour to be an industrialised nation by 2020.
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