KLANG: Port Klang assemblyman Azmizam Zaman Huri has been taken to task for threatening to instigate a strike by commercial transportation vehicle drivers if roads leading to Port Klang are not repaired by the Federal Government.
In a joint statement, eleven relevant organisations, led by the Port Klang Authority, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd, Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Port Klang Free Zone Sdn Bhd, collectively criticised Azmizam for his statement.
"We view very seriously the call (by Azmizam) which is irrational, unreasonable and irresponsible as the move will create other problems such as a break in the logistics supply chain for the supply of raw materials, food, vegetables, fruits and medical supply.
"It can also interrupt commercial and economic sectors nationwide, which are currently recovering from the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic," the statement read.
The statement urged all parties, including commercial vehicle drivers, not to get involved in the strike which it reiterated was irresponsible.
The statement also urged all relevant parties to initiate, and get involved, in discussions regarding the matter through the right channels to ensure that sufficient allocations were made available to repair the Port Klang roads.
Azmizam had said, when debating the Selangor budget at the state legislative assembly recently, that the strike will be held if the Federal Government does not provide allocations to the state to repair roads leading into Port Klang.
Azmizan had also called out to Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong to take heed of the threat.
Other organisations that had signed the statement were
the Malaysian Haulier's Association, Selangor Freight Forwarders and Logistics Association, Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders, Forwarding Services Association Malaysia, Shipping Association Malaysia, Central Region Shipping Association and Malaysian Ship Owners Association.