Just one more hurdle to clear

KUCHING: Sarawak is nearing the end of negotiations with the federal government to take over Bintulu Port, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

He said discussions have been progressing smoothly and the handover is expected by December, as outlined in a previous agreement.

“We’re working on it now. There’s one remaining issue we need to address,” he told reporters after a site visit at the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) Complex.

“Our committee is actively engaging the Ministry of Transport to finalise it.”

However, he declined to provide specifics, saying, “If we disclose it now, there could be a lot of speculation, and we want to avoid that.”

The compensation amount for the port takeover is still being negotiated, Uggah added. “Once that’s settled, we can move forward with the transfer.”

Last March, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development signed a memorandum of understanding in Putrajaya.

The agreement established three committees to oversee the port’s transfer by December.

A significant milestone was reached on July 17 when the Dewan Rakyat passed a Bill to repeal the Bintulu Port Authority Act 1981.

This legislative move officially transfers the port’s authority to the Sarawak government.