Sarawak’s acquisition of Bintulu Port signals positive economic growth

KUCHING: The Sarawak government’s acquisition of Bintulu Port is viewed as a significant development for the state’s economic progress.

Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCGCCI) secretary-general Datuk Jonathan Chai Voon Tok noted the port’s strategic location in the northeast of Sarawak, positioned along the route between the Far East and Europe.

He highlighted that this strategic positioning would play a pivotal role in fostering the state’s economic growth, particularly in the oil and gas industry, midstream and downstream activities, edible oil, the proposed supply base, Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), hydrogen production, and other biofuels.

Chai stated that the return of the Bintulu Port Authority aligns with the Sarawak government’s plan to establish a Central Port Authority, aiming for streamlined management, operations, and development of all ports in Sarawak.

“It is indeed timely for Sarawak to regain control of such an important port as we gear ourselves to achieve the objectives of the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, transforming Sarawak into a high-income and developed economy by 2030.”

Notably, the handover of Bintulu Port to the Sarawak government is scheduled for June this year.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke have assured that the state government will establish the Bintulu Port Board under the Port Board Ordinance 1961 to ensure smooth port operations after the transfer.

They also disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed next month to formalise the handover process from the federal government to the state government.