Premier: Sarawak ready to build ambitious deep-sea port

BALI: The Sarawak government is ready to develop the most advanced deep-sea port in the Tanjung Embang area.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that it will make Sarawak an important maritime gateway for the oil and gas industry in the southern region.

Given the strategic location of Sarawak and Indonesia, it will be able to increase trade and economic relations between the two regions in the transport and maritime shipping sectors.

“This port development method is quite different from the conventional method.

Abang Johari (fourth from left) in a group photo with other dignitaries at the 41st CAFEO at Bali International Convention Centre yesterday.

“I want to share that it will be developed in the middle of the sea where we have a coastal gradient.

“So, we (Sarawak) will build a deep-sea port that will provide space for ships to call in addition to the development of a general cargo cluster with oil and gas clusters.

“Here, we can cooperate with Indonesia, and now we have exported energy to West Kalimantan from Sarawak,” he said in a press conference after attending the 41st Conference of the Asean Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO) at Bali International Convention Centre on Wednesday (Nov 22).

He also shared that Sarawak will develop the Sarawak Blue Economy Policy and Direction (SBEP) for the sustainable development of coastal and marine ecosystems.

The SBEP will cover various economic activities that depend on the health and productivity of the oceans and coasts, including fisheries, aquaculture, renewable energy, tourism and shipping.

Earlier in the conference, Abang Johari was made an Honorary Fellow which carries the title ‘Distinguish Honorary’ (Dist Hon).

Abang Johari (fifth from left) looks on as Airlangga beats the gong to officiate the 41st CAFEO at Bali International Convention Centre yesterday.

Also receiving the award was the Asean Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO) chairman Dr Ir Danis Hidayat, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, Indonesian Minister of Health Ir Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Special recognition is awarded selectively to distinguished individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the engineering profession, institutional advancement and important national endeavours.

More than 1,000 delegates including engineers from Indonesia, Asean and international representatives attended the conference.

Among those present were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Housing Dr M Basuki Hadimuljono, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Aidel Lariwoo, Sarawak Finance Secretary Datuk Seri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, and Senior Private Secretary to the Sarawak Premier Datuk Khir Busrah.