Delay in delivery of amphicoach to Terengganu does not involve extra cost - Ahmad Razif

The delay in the delivery of the amphicoach to Terengganu does not bring about any financial impact as the cost remains at approximately RM3 million.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the delay was merely due to three factors, including the cold weather condition which had hampered the test and certification processes by the third party in Malta.

The delay is also due to limited transporter to deliver the vehicle, he said in reply to Wan Abdul Hakim Wan Mokhtar (BN-Air Putih) at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

Ahmad Razif said the third factor for the delay was the failure in the vehicle's hydraulic system and the state government had wanted the problem to be solved first before it could accept the amphicoach.

Terengganu is expected to receive the amphicoach in June after the handing over was postponed several times since 2015.

In reply to Wan Abdul Hakim's supplementary question on the importance of the vehicle to the state, the menteri besar said it could become another tourist attraction in line with the state government's effort to turn the tourism industry into an alternative revenue for the state.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Razif refuted the allegation that the state government had been dilly dallying the claim for the oil royalty in the Bertam oil field.

Instead, he said the state government was still waiting for the decision on whether the oil field legally belonged to Terengganu or Pahang.

"The border issue is still being scrutinised by the Malaysian Survey and mapping Department and when the decision is made, then only we can proceed with the (royalty) claim," he said in reply to Azan Ismail (PKR-Bandar).

According to Ahmad Razif, the five percent royalty from the Bertam oil field would be between RM9 million and RM10 million.

-- BERNAMA