Bintulu Port officially under Sarawak’s administration since Sept 1

KUCHING, Sept 16: Bintulu Port is now officially under the administration of the Sarawak Government, effective September 1, 2026, following the completion of its takeover from the Federal Government.

The handing over of  Bintulu Port’s official documents took place today at the VIP Holding Room of the Kuching International Airport (KIA) between  Transport Minister, Anthony Loke and Deputy Premier cum Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

The ceremony was witnessed by Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in conjunction with the 63rd Malaysia Day Celebration here.

According to a statement by the Sarawak Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), the takeover involved RM1.8 billion in compensation paid by the Sarawak Government to the Federal Government.

With the enforcement of the Declaration of an Area in the Bintulu District as a Federal Port (Repeal) Act 2024 [Act 858] and the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act 2024 [Act 859], the status of Bintulu Port changed from a federal port to a state port.

The Bintulu Port Authority (BPA) was also dissolved, while its functions as the port authority have now been taken over by the BPA (Sarawak), a state statutory body established on September 1, 2024.

The transfer also covers all assets, rights, interests and obligations of the BPA to the Sarawak Government.

The proposed takeover of Bintulu Port was announced by the Sarawak Premier in January 2023, before the Federal Government’s agreement was announced by the Prime Minister in October of the same year.

Bintulu Port is among Sarawak’s strategic infrastructure, particularly in supporting industrial activities and the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG). – TVS