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Bintulu Port. Source: Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas)Advertisement
By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 21: The transfer of regulatory authority over Bintulu Port from the federal government to Sarawak should be viewed as a strategic initiative that goes beyond the interests of a single State as it will play an important role in the economic landscape of Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region.
In a statement, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Ts Mustapha Sakmud said Bintulu Port is no longer merely the country’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export hub, but is evolving into an industrial, logistics, and green energy centre.
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“Bintulu’s strategic location, coupled with Sarawak’s advantage of possessing abundant renewable energy resources, particularly large-scale hydropower, has made the area increasingly attractive to international investors transitioning towards low-carbon operations.
“This development has the potential to position Sarawak as a leading hub for green industries, clean energy, and high-value manufacturing in the region,” he said.
Describing it as a ‘win-win’ situation, he said Sarawak gains a greater role in managing its strategic assets while Malaysia benefits from the development of a world-class logistics, industrial, and green energy hub that will drive the nation’s future economic growth.
“Ongoing modernisation efforts include the digitalisation of operational systems, the adoption of automation technologies, and improvements in port management efficiency to ensure that Bintulu Port remains competitive amid global economic changes.
“These measures also support the aspiration of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through more sustainable and environmentally friendly operational practices,” he said.
He said that Bintulu’s strategic location, coupled with Sarawak’s advantage of possessing abundant renewable energy resources, particularly large-scale hydropower, has made the area increasingly attractive to international investors transitioning towards low-carbon operations which has the potential to position the State as a leading hub for green industries, clean energy, and high-value manufacturing in the region.
In terms of implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), he said the transfer is among its most significant achievements as it not only recognised Sarawak’s rights and position as a founding partner of Malaysia but also demonstrates that the implementation of MA63 can be carried out in a spirit of cooperation that produces a win-win outcome.
“The approval of the Bintulu Port Authority (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the Federal Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 by the Dewan Rakyat on July 15, 2024, marked a new chapter in federal-Sarawak relations by granting Sarawak a larger role in managing the State’s strategic assets,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today attended a cheque handover ceremony at Menara Kidurong, Bintulu Port Authority, commemorating the conversion of Bintulu Port from a federal port to a state port.
It was previously reported that the federal government has agreed to the transfer of Bintulu Port to the Sarawak government for a value of RM1.8 billion. — DayakDaily
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