Sarawak Transport Ministry mulls setting up committee to look into maritime matters in state

KUCHING (Aug 9): The state Transport Ministry has proposed the setting up of a Sarawak Maritime Committee to look into various maritime matters, including shipping and arising from maritime transport logistics and safety.

Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said this has been unanimously agreed on after listening to feedback and views from the various stakeholders during the ministry’s engagement session with representatives from shipping, ship builders and owners, logistics, chamber of commerce, port authority, Customs Department, Immigration Department, and the Marine Department at a hotel here today.

The Sarawak Transport Ministry was also briefed on the recent reinstatement of cabotage policy for Sarawak and matters relating to shipping and logistics, said Lee who chaired the session.

He said he would get his ministry to formulate the committee, and the members shall come from various stakeholders in the maritime industry, chamber of commerce, and representatives from the relevant government departments and agencies.

“The purpose of setting up the committee is to get all the stakeholders and relevant agencies together, and gather all the issues and facts relating to maritime and logistics matters in Sarawak and work out the transformational road map,” he said.

Also present at the engagement session were State Deputy Transport (Riverine and Marine) Minister Dato Henry Harry Jinep and the ministry’s Riverine and Marine Section Head Teo Swee Ann.