Bintulu Port officially under the Government of Sarawak from 1 September

KUCHING, 16 September: Bintulu Port is now officially under the administration of the Government of Sarawak effective 1 September 2026 after the process of acquisition from the Federal Government has been completed.

Presentation of official Port Bintulu documents by Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke to Deputy Prime Minister Sarawak embraced the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embassy at the Hall of Famous People, Kuching International Airport (LTAK), here today.

The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the celebration of the 63rd Malaysia Day.

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

With the coming into force of the Bintulu Inland Area Declaration Act to Become a Federal Port (Release) 2024 [Act 858] and Bintulu Port Board Act (Release) 2024 [Act 859], the status of Bintulu Port changed from a federal port to a state port.

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

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

The proposed acquisition of Bintulu Port was announced by Sarawak's Premier in January 2023 before the Federal Government's approval was announced by the Prime Minister in October of the same year.

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