IPOH, Feb 22 — The two-decade wait for a natural gas pipeline in Perak ended today following a ground breaking ceremony for the 140km project from Ayer Tawar to Bercham and Lahat to Simpang Pulai.

Gas Malaysia Berhad chairman, Datuk Hasni Harun said the RM180 million project was expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of next year.

"The project is jointly undertaken by the Federal Government, the state and Gas Malaysia.

"Federal Government is forking out RM50 million, Perak RM10 million and Gas Malaysia RM120 million,” he said adding that works to construct the pipeline began in 2016.

Hasni said 31km of the pipeline has been completed with 59km in the final stages of completion.

He said with the natural gas supply, more investments are expected to flock into the state.

Among those present at the ceremony were Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir and Second International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.

Zambry during his speech said, the state had been waiting for the pipeline since 1996.

"It is a dream come true for us. When I came in as Mentri Besar, we worked hard to promote the state to investors. However they were not keen to join as our facilities were not up to par,” he said.

Zambry hoped that the project would be expanded further in the state and not confined to the present areas.

Meanwhile, Ong also said that the current line would benefit 44 companies and 13 new investors.

"Besides generating economic growth, there will also be new job opportunities,” he said.