BINTULU: Sarawak government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), will find ways and means to find solutions to problems faced by port users in the state
MIPD minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said MIPD together with the State Planning Unit (EPU), port authorities and operators would convene a meeting in Kuching sometime this week on the matter.
“I have learnt from reports you are facing some grouses and concerns which affect your business, so we are here today to listen.”
“In the forthcoming meeting, we hope to resolve these which are short term and management issues,” he said this yesterday when visiting the Samalaju port and later meeting senior representatives of seven big companies operating in the Samalaju industrial zone which use the port as their export exit.
Uggah reassured them it was the stance of the state government to be pro-investoment.
“You are all very important to Sarawak. While you provide job opportunities, you are also contributing to and enhancing its economic growth especially now it had in place its Post Covid-19 Development Plan toward 2030.
“You are already here and we certainly want you to stay here forever. We also want you to help promote Sarawak as a most ideal place to invest among other outside investors.
“As such, we will continue to put in place the infrastructure and the eco system you need.
“We will not only provide but will ensure they are available and always efficient in order to be able to deliver,” he said.
Uggah added the Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg too had heard of problems faced.
“The Chief Minister is very concerned and had wanted them resolved soonest,” he said.
Meanwhile at the meeting yesterday, the senior representatives were given the opportunity to voice out their grouses and concerns.
Top of the list was the long turnaround time for loading purposes resulting in them incurring greater costs.
According to Yuki Nakamura, the general manager of Pertama Ferroalloys, the turnabout time should ideally be five days like in Japanese ports.
“In Sarawak, we sometimes experience up to 14 days,” he said.
He added that ports equipment should be maintained regularly and properly to avoid breakdowns which would inevitably affect port operations. Thus, suggesting the latest technology and equipment be introduced.
MIPD Assistant Minister Datu Majang Renggi, its Permanent Secretary Datuk Safri Zainuddin and EPU director Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel joined Uggah at the function.
