BINTULU: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has ambitious plans to elevate Bintulu Port into a pivotal hub in the Asean region.
With the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) formalising the transition of Bintulu Port from a federal to a state port, slated for June 2024, control over the port will shift to Sarawak.
Abang Johari envisioned significant developments for Bintulu Port under Sarawak’s management, although the specifics remain undisclosed.
“I have a plan for Bintulu Port, but I can’t reveal it for now. God willing, once Bintulu Port is taken over, it will be the most important hub in the Asean region,” he said.
He said this during the Bintulu Development Authority’s Hari Raya open house at Naim Paragon Street Mall on Wednesday.
Additionally, Abang Johari expressed optimism for Sarawak to be the most advanced state in Malaysia by 2030.
He said that cooperation and unity among the people are crucial to driving development in Sarawak.
“We pray for Sarawak to be peaceful and prosperous, with the people united, as we aim to elevate Sarawak as the most advanced region in Malaysia by 2030,” he added.
An agreement has been reached to finalise the transfer of Bintulu Port to the Sarawak government in June 2024, as per a joint statement by the federal Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the state Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development.
During a Joint Federal-State Committee meeting in January, chaired by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Federal Minister of Transport Anthony Loke Siew Fook, it was decided that the Ministry of Transport Malaysia would present a bill to repeal the Bintulu Port Authority Act 1981 in the 2024 parliamentary session.
To ensure seamless operations, the Sarawak government will establish the Bintulu Port Authority (Sarawak) under the Port Authorities Ordinance 1961.
Additionally, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in March to formalise the transfer of Bintulu Port to the state government.
