The unloading of oil takes five days, whereas it should take only two days, due to one of the pipes taking oil to the oil storage being rendered useless, he said.

Foreign technical expertise has to be obtained since the pipeline lies across main roads at 12 locations, according to him.

Malaysian credit facility

Reports reaching SLM say the Malaysian government is to extend a credit facility for the renovation of the oil pipeline.

The loan is repayable in 15 years.

Tenders have already been called for the pipeline renovation work.