KUCHING: The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for Bintulu Port is a historical task accomplished, said Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
The Deputy Premier expressed his hope that the handing over of the port from the federal government to the state will be concluded by year.
“I wish to congratulate everyone who is involved. This achievement could only be made possible through your cooperation, understanding and ability to work as a team,” he said.
He said this after a talk on integrity given by Ustaz Syamsul Debat for the ministry officers and staff and followed by the iftar session at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here, yesterday (Mar 25).
Meanwhile, in preparing for more and greater challenges and responsibilities ahead, Uggah pointed out that it is very important that all officers upgrade themselves with new skills, technologies, and knowledge such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“Our ministry is a very critical one in terms of infrastructure and port development. Our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has instructed us to look at the construction of a new port.
“He also wants us to restructure the management of our existing ports so that we can have a single Sarawak port authority. If is very challenging and we need to have the right manpower.
“So I hope our ministry can send some officers to learn from the leading ports or other institutions overseas. We must be in touch with all the latest technologies,” he said.
He noted that AI is very much going to influence the way the state does and manages its resources, and project implementation.
“We are implementing around RM60 billion worth of projects so our preparations are absolutely important.
“We cannot run away from the latest technologies and knowledge otherwise we will be stragglers, or paddling behind others.
“The people too want those projects for them to be implemented well and completed on schedule,” he said.
