Bintulu Port Authority Act 1981 set for repeal

THE federal government is in the midst of preparing the Bill to repeal the Bintulu Port Authority Act 1981.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas also said that negotiations between both governments are progressing well concerning the taking over of Bintulu Port by the Sarawak government.

“A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (on the taking over of Bintulu Port) was signed at Putrajaya, witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Premier of Sarawak in March 2024,” he said.

Uggah, who is also Infrastructure and Port Development Minister said this during his Ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Wednesday (May 15).

On another note, he said following the passing of the Sarawak Ports Authority Bill 2024, the Sarawak Ports Authority will materialise sooner rather than later.

“This will certainly bring positive impacts on the port and related industries in Sarawak,” he said.

He added that the Ministry will work closely with the state ports to enhance the ports’ role in the import-export logistic supply chain for the economic development in line with the Post Covid-19 Development
Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

On performance, he said for the first quarter of this year, the state port authorities registered an increase of 12.2 per cent (0.62 million tonnes) in total compared to the first quarter of 2023, as the economy continues to recover.

On Kuching Port, he said it has handled a total throughput of 2.34 million
tonnes in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 5.8 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2023.

“For Kuching Port, the Sarawak government has funded RM71.4 million for the supply, installation and commissioning at Senari Terminal on Mar 26.

“With these two new quay cranes, Kuching Port will improve its container handling performance on vessel productivity from 26 to 50 Gross Moves Per Hour (GMPH),” he said.

In addition, he said a new vehicle yard with a capacity of 2,500 vehicles will be completed in Senari Terminal in the fourth quarter of 2024, and it will serve to stow vehicles when Roll-On Roll-Off (RORO) cargo vessels call at Senari Terminal, following the targeted completion of the new Seingkat- Samarahan bridge in 2025.

On Rajang Port, he said it registered a total throughput of 0.34 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 12.4 per cent compared to the first quarter of last year.

“For Miri Port, with a total throughput of 0.85 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2024, it has registered an increase of 10 per cent compared to the same quarter in 2023.

“The dredging of Batang Baram Delta project and associated works is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2024,” he said.

Concerning Tanjung Manis Port, Uggah said it handled a total throughput of 0.45 million tonnes in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 20.73 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2023.

He added that Samalaju Port registered a total of 1.65 million tonnes throughput in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 24 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2023.