Minister: Transforming Sarawak Buoys and Lights Board vital

THE Sarawak Buoys and Lights Board needs to be strengthened and transformed from its present status, said Minister for Transport, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.

Currently, the Sarawak Buoys and Lights Board does not have its own management structure set-up.

The Sarawak Buoys and Lights Board was established under clause 4(1) of the Merchant Shipping (Buoys and Lights) Regulations, 1961 made under section 277 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1960.

Lee said the entity is administered by its Board of Directors whereby the function of the Board is performed by the Marine Department, Sarawak Region.

“It is critical and timely to ensure the effective management and delivery of buoys and lights services, expansion of revenue stream especially through the collection of buoys and lights dues, and most importantly to protect the sovereignty of Sarawak,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today (Nov 27).

Following this, he said the ministry is working closely with the Sarawak State Attorney-General’s Chambers to review and propose changes to the Ordinances and Regulations.

He added that the objective is to establish a robust management structure and provide adequate staffing for the Sarawak Buoys and Lights Board.

Meanwhile, Lee said the ministry has also taken an initiative to study the navigability of Sungai Sarawak Kanan from Kuching Waterfront to Siniawan to improve the navigational safety of Sarawak’s rivers to tap its economic potential.

He said this study will map out the navigability of the reiver and recommend strategies to develop economic activities in line with the river economy concept.

Lee stressed the importance of safe navigation of the rivers, as it is essential to eliminate hazards in the river, provide up-to-date river charts and strategically deploy a sufficient number of Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) across the rivers.

He added that compliance with the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Ligthouse Authorities (IALA) standards is crucial to maintain and grow the riverine shipping industry.