Malaysia to import sand from RI

Malaysia to import sand from RI

PEKANBARU, Riau: Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Dato' Hamidon
Ali said on Wednesday that Malaysia wished to buy sand from the
Indonesian government.

"But, we leave it for the Indonesian government to make a
decision on this," the Ambassador told reporters after he met
Riau governor Saleh Djasit.

Ali said the imported sand would be used in the construction
of Tanjung Pelepas harbor in Johor and land reclamation projects
in the city of Melaka and on Pinang Island.

The Ambassador said the governments of Johor, Melaka and
Pinang had proposed to import sand from Indonesia, as it was much
cheaper than sand from Malaysia.

The three governments are waiting for a response from the
Indonesian government, as they had heard that Indonesia was
prohibiting the export of sand to other countries, including
Singapore, he said.

Saleh said he had conveyed Malaysia's proposal to the central
government and that the central government had the final say on
the matter. -- JP