ONLY five out the 11 marinas the previous Barisan Nasional government commissioned are still operational, the Auditor-General’s report found.

The 11 marinas were approved to be built in November 2000 with the cost of RM323.16 million for the public nationwide with the purpose of yachting and marine tourism.

The report noted there was wastage in seven of the marinas built due to the difference in the infrastructure.

“The objective of building the marinas were not fulfilled as there are only five out of eleven, which is 45.4%, are operational as public marinas and there is a wastage on the marinas that are not used,” the report read.

“The difference in basic infrastructure of the marinas have impacted the effectiveness for sailors to dock,” it added.

The marinas are also poorly managed and allow foreigners to enter illegally, said the report which was tabled in Dewan Rakyat today.

The report also noted that from 2015 to 2017, the financial records for the marinas could not be identified.

The report recommends, among others, that the Transport Ministry and relevant authorities review long-term operation activities in the marinas.

Government agencies should also figure out short-term solutions to prevent sailors from turning away from the marinas, the report recommended.

“There should be a short-term plan so that the operations of the public marina can be continued and will not affect its image among the international sailors,” the report suggested. – August 6, 2018.