This is extracted from China Press after Pengerang became a national attention due to protest over the petrochemical project. Many medias made visit to Pengerang since then, including some from Taiwan.

Pengerang, Quiet no more

A simple small town, famous with seafood, Pengerang is changing its face.

Located at the north east of Johor state, currently undergoing massive land reclamation to make place for the petrochemical project RAPID, it is losing its peace as just a tranquil fishing town.

Generations of villagers saw the sea right in front of their houses been replaced with land, many houses, schools, temples and grave yards of the ancesters are all going to be destroyed. Thousands of fishermen are affected, traditional fishing households are facing the difficulties in lives, losing their income. This so called development bring nothing to the local people but sadness and damnation.

邊佳蘭靜中帶枉

純樸的小鎮，擁有廣闊海水及豐富漁產的邊佳蘭（Pengerang），逐漸山河變色。

位于柔佛州東南部的邊佳蘭，目前大興土木進行填海工程，將發展提煉及石油化學綜合發展計劃（RAPID），但卻破壞當地的純樸漁鄉面貌。

生活好幾代的居民，看到前方海水被一堆堆泥土填塞，部分家園、學校、神廟及祖墳即將夷為平地，還有近千名捕魚人家遭受前所未有的打擊，傳統漁家面臨斷炊命運，因此對邊佳蘭的大型發展乍喜還憂……

http://www.chinapress.com.my/node/304156

Peaceful and quiet, but won't be anymore.

The traditional chinese pastry. This shop has been there since i have memory.

What else other than to mend their net if the fisherman couldn't go to the sea? Or worst more, there is no more sea with fishes.

The fisherman jetty at Sungai Rengit.

The coconut trees used to be abundance in my childhood, now we see this only at the more inner areas of the villages. But soon, wont even see this anymore.

This tailor shop is there since i have memory as well.

Part of the Sungai Rengit town from the bird view. Sungai Rengit town center will be spared from destruction, to keep it as a supply town to the petrochemical plant, around 5km from here, if no nearer.

Leisure Pengerang (4): A Zen Temple, Teluk Ramunia

The departure to go back home for this time was an unexpected and sad one. We were there to attend to the funeral of my grandma. Little did i expect that, she would be gone so fast. Eventhough her health was deterioting, but i thought she would be like my late grandfather. He hang on and was bed ladden for the later years, all together for 7 years at least. My mother said, grandma used to say, she would not want to be the burden of anyone and in fact, she did not become such. The last time i saw her, she said, i wont be able to see her for the last time, since i am so far away. i told her, then, at least i will come back to send you for your last journey. i cant control of been married far, but at least i made it to see her for the one last time, eventhough that was just her body.

Funeral is perhaps the only time that one could really see all the relatives, both close and distant one. I was happpy to see all my cousins, now all of them grown up and a man. I caught up with my family and we talked about also the future of our hometown. This piece of land where my uncles and aunties, some of my cousins and all my siblings grown up is now under the threat of been developed into a petrochemical industrial park.

One of the disappearing kampung, Langkah Baik or tou2 wan1. There is only one main street in the village and the whole village is just right beside of the shore. One oil rig is so near to the village that, you think you should be able to swim there.

The billions worth of project affected several kampung (villages) and whether like it or not, the project or land clearing are already started. I am sure this means 'development' and money to the decision makers (ordinary citizen like us won't know who are they though), who dont even know this place or come here before. Unfortunately, for those really get affected, those who are really staying here, it means the lost of HOME. Place where our ancestors came and made it into a home, place where a few generations of people tight our hearts. If you asked me, i personally would prefer my kampung to stay the way it is, many of the people think as me too. There are many groups of villagers fighting this big wave of change with their small voices, you can find them at facebook. Here are a few:

停止工程，保留我们的家园-边加兰 Selamatkan Bumi Pengerang --- http://www.facebook.com/pages/%E5%81%9C%E6%AD%A2%E5%B7%A5%E7%A8%8B%E4%BF%9D%E7%95%99%E6%88%91%E4%BB%AC%E7%9A%84%E5%AE%B6%E5%9B%AD-%E8%BE%B9%E5%8A%A0%E5%85%B0-Selamatkan-Bumi-Pengerang/348816058473855

KampungKu SuaraKu 我的甘榜 由我做主 ----- http://www.facebook.com/KampungKuSuaraKu

If you want news about Pengerang, including events going on and all kind of other information, you could look for it here: 边佳兰前线 Pengerang Frontline ---- http://www.facebook.com/groups/158422210931553/
You probably can ask the creater of the group too. He is still staying in Sungai Rengit.



Except for seafood, Pengerang produced talents too! This is proudly done by the son of my neighbour.

You can read about the trip of Mediacorp artist, Zheng Bin Hui here: http://zhengbinhui.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/边加兰之旅

Now, let`s talk about the temple. To access, you can take the massive red soil road at the left, after the `T`junction of Kota Tinggi highway, then turn into the small road at the right. It is easier to take the small one vehicle-pass-only road before the left turn to the lastest housing estate in Teluk Ramunia (i don`t remember the name of the Taman). You will be able to see the Guan Yin statues if you keep looking at the left, when you drive from Sungai Rengit. 

I do not remember when was the last time i came here. i remember washing the pool with my friends though. This pond and the statues are there since i was in primary school. But now, it is more colorful.

i heard that, the whole temple got rebuilt due to termites infestation. It looked even bigger and nicer than 20 years ago. The temple used to be surrounded by the bushes, but now a housing estate is built near by.

The Buddha statue under the bodhi tree is something new to me. i like it. Somehow, it reminded me of the one i saw at Sarna, near the Deer Park in India.

Special Feature (4): What is going to happen to Pengerang?

We saw the oil rigs on the sea around the shore of Pengerang since years ago. It was really a very bad news for many of us who are from there, disregard whether we are still staying there or not, there will be some kind of refinery & petrochemical project in this regions.
Some of my old friends who remain to stay in Sungai Rengit show concerns over the land acquisition at different kampung in the region.
For us, this is our hometown. For people like my around 80 years old grandmother, where do you expect her to go eventhough if there are reasonable compensation for the relocation? She have lived all her lives here, this is the only place she knows. Her children had offered to bring her away to the cities where they are staying, but she choosen to stay here, just with an Indonesian maid, despite of her poor health. Why one thinks she wanted to stay alone here? Because this is her HOME. Money buy house and land, but not home.
Even if the town remains there, but with a oil refinery nearby, can you imagine that kind of living condition? Staying in an industrial park!
I really dont care about the economy contribution or jobs creations or whatever things generated from this project. I just hope my hometown can remain as a peaceful and quiet small village, with its slow pace life style. I personally think this project will wipe out my hometown and only now that, i can understand how people feel when they are asked to be relocated from their home. Well, i am not even staying there anymore, imagine those who are staying there!
I came acrosed this some where else, but this is very closed to how i feel about my hometown:
Being born and bred here, naturally we hold this small place closed to our heart with beautiful memories of growing up, gorgeous landscape, unique lifestyle and harmonious people. For many who chosen to stay, nothing is more important than the unhurried, steady and unrestricted life. Each day, they are among friends and life is the way they see it.


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發展邊佳蘭石油天然氣工業‧州設單位監督落實計劃


丹絨浪沙是柔州政府重點發展的石油與天然氣工業區之一。（檔案照）（圖：星洲日報）

(柔佛‧新山8日訊）柔佛州務大臣拿督阿都干尼透露，州政府已經設立一個名為“柔州石油與天然氣單位（Unit Minyak dan Gas Negeri Johor）”，以監督及落實邊佳蘭成為本區域的石油與天然氣工業樞紐中心的計劃。

阿都干尼今日在柔佛州立法議會提呈2012年度財政預算案時，透露上述發展計劃；他說，州政府把上述計劃定位為關鍵經濟領域（NKEA）的項目之一。


政府接獲私人界數建議書

他說，在此之前，州政府已經接獲來自私人界，包括戴樂集團（Dialog）有限公司，以及國油的數項建議書，發展邊佳蘭的石油與天然氣工業。

他說，上述建議書包括有戴樂集團有限公司的獨立深海石油終端計劃；以及建設原油及石化工業的綜合性中心。

他指出，預計到了2020年，柔佛州在邊佳蘭、丹絨賓及丹絨浪沙等地區開展的石油與天然氣工業計劃，將為國家帶來170億9千500萬令吉的國民收入總值（GNI），或製造7千950個就業機會。

此外，他披露，柔州政府接下來將把招引外商的焦點，投注於更具有“群聚性”的招商活動，以便在州內產生工業聚集區（Industrial Cluster）效應。


柔州擬設專屬性工業園區

他說，在這個策略下，州政府將把招商目標投注於吸引電子工業、化學、食品、石化及金屬領域業者，以便在柔州設立專屬性的工業園區，致力把柔佛州打造為更加親商地點的黃金投資地帶。

他說，這種有目標性的吸引外資，將能在柔佛州產生工業聚集區效應；這包括在迪沙魯設立生物谷產業聚集區（Kluster BioValley）；在南部工業物流園區（SiLC）開發BioExel產品；以及在五灣（Teluk Ramunia）發展成為另一個石油工業樞紐。

他也說，政府設立新的工業聚集區時，也將繼續鞏固原有的工業園，確保現有的工業園區不會受到忽視。（星洲日報／大柔佛）


http://mykampung.sinchew.com.my/node/169090?tid=9

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Petronas’ RM50b RAPID investment


Najib (left) and Petronas president & chief executive officer Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas after the announcement of the project at the Petronas headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. The prime minister says the project is larger than the combined capacities of Petronas’ existing refineries in Malacca and Kerteh (pic by Shahrin Yahya)

The proposed Petroliam Nasional Bhd's (Petronas) US$20 billion (around RM50 billion) Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) in Pengerang, southern Johor, is expected to benefit oil and gas (O&G) players like Dialog Group Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PCGB).

Dialog, an integrated specialist in technical services in the O&G and petrochemical industry, already has a major presence in Pengerang and the O&G construction segment, said equity analysts.

The company stands to benefit from the RM50 billion investment by Petronas, said an analyst with a local investment bank.

Dialog already has an ongoing terminal project in Pengerang. It has established a significant presence in the downstream segment and has a track record of building various Petronas’ plants across the country.

The terminal is also expected to generate RM1.6 billion in gross national income by 2020.....

http://themalaysianreserve.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=184&catid=36&Itemid=120

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边佳兰多处土地遭收购

(新山23日讯)有鉴于国油提炼及石油化学综合发展（RAPID）计划，以及独立深海石油终站发展计划，边佳兰多处土地将遭收购，可是，当前市价不一，令当地居民不知所措。　

为协助解决有关居民的困扰，柔州公正党成立边佳兰土地收购行动委员会，欢迎居民致电提出疑问。　

该委员会主席朱基菲里今日下午召开记者会，宣布上述消息。

他披露，在这两项计划下，一些代理相信接受有关当局的委托，开始向居民游说脱售土地事宜，首阶段受影响地段包括头湾、大湾、二湾及三湾等。　

土地报价不一致

但是，居民获得的报价不一致，有者每平方尺15令吉，有者却仅数令吉，令居民感到困惑。

该委员会希望居民勿冲动售地，或可向他们求助讨论，确保在合理价格下完成土地交易。

公正党柔州法律局主任潘伟斯指出，若有关当局无法透过代理购得土地，政府仍可透过1960年土地征用法令下强制购地，之后土地局会公布所涉及土地的详情，一旦没有异议，将自动以政府公布的价格售地。　

政府未解说计划内容

他说，若有异议，居民需在六周内前往法庭申请调高售地价，再由法庭决定最终土地价格。　

公正党柔州副主席刘文清认为，政府至今尚未对居民解说这两项计划内容，令许多居民不了解本身的家园未来将会如何。

他希望政府在边佳兰土地局放置发展大篮图及模型等，增进居民对此课题的了解。　

居民若有疑问，可致电联络朱基菲里（012-75 71860）或委员会副主席张亚成（019-769 2020）。

http://www.nanyang.com/node/400874?tid=512

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Malaysia - Petronas RAPID project

Petronas Rapid Project - feasibility study ready by 2011 year end.
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) will make its investment decision by the last quarter of next year for its proposed integrated downstream oil and gas project that has been earmarked with a capital expenditure of US$20bil (RM60bil).

It announced yesterday that it was undertaking a feasibility study for the development of a refinery and petrochemical integrated development (Rapid) in Pengerang, Johor. The announcement confirmed a breaking story by StarBiz on Wednesday.

Petronas’ President and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas, told a media briefing after the unveiling of the project that the feasibility study would be completed by the end of this year.

Key facilities under Rapid would include a crude oil refinery, a naphtha cracker and a petrochemical and polymer complex, with Petronas also considering the possibility of developing a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving and re-gasification terminal. The project was mooted on anticipation of strong future growth in the demand for differentiated and specialty chemicals, which will enhance Malaysia's petrochemical industry.

“We will make a decision before the end of this year about developing the LNG in Johor. The LNG import terminal in Malacca will be ready by end-June next year, and we are going to introduce open access (which means that Petronas will no longer have a monopoly). So any parties that wants to bring in LNG or gas, can do so,” he said.

The aim of the LNG in Johor would be to cater to the energy needs of the Rapid complex and help diversify the sources of gas supply to meet existing and future demands in Peninsular Malaysia. The new LNG re-gasification terminal will involve receiving facilities for LNG carriers and a new pipeline to tie-in to the existing Peninsular Gas Utilisation system.

“We are no longer going into basic commodities, which is a sunset industry,” said Shamsul.

The national oil major said naphtha-based feedstock provided the opportunity to capture demand growth and that diversifying the feedstock sources would ensure robustness and business sustainability. An analyst told StarBizWeek that local oil and gas service providers would benefit from engineering, procurement and construction contracts that would be dished out from the Rapid project.

“Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd will also benefit from this project tremendously, as it seeks to move up in the value chain and look for better yielding product,” he added.

http://www.trade.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/export/countries/asiapacific/southeastasia/malaysia/businessopportunity/141480.html