KUCHING: The Sarawak Ports Authority (SPA) is expected to commence its operations in the second quarter of 2026.

Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Majang Renggi said, pursuant to the Sarawak Ports Authority Ordinance 2024, all port authorities in Sarawak will be integrated and streamlined under a single regulatory body.

"Currently, the Sarawak Government through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) has established a Task Force responsible for preparing the administrative and management framework for the implementation of the Sarawak Ports Authority,” he said.

He was responding to a question from Batu Danau Assemblyman Dato Paulus Palu Gumbang during the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting on Wednesday.

Regarding the process of regulatory consolidation of the port authorities under the SPA, he detailed that this process will be implemented through three phases — the interim phase, corporatisation and privatisation.

Datuk Majang explained that the interim phase involves the transfer of regulatory control from the existing port authorities to the SPA, as stipulated in the Ordinance.

“Meanwhile, the corporatisation phase will involve the conversion of the port authorities' status from statutory bodies to wholly government-owned companies under the Companies Act.

“The objective is to enable port management and operations to be market-driven, focusing on efficiency, robust finances, and accountability, thus preparing them for future privatisation,” he clarified.

Responding to whether existing staff from the current port authorities will be absorbed into the SPA, he stressed that staff will be offered employment either within the authority or within the new corporate port entity, based on suitability and in accordance with the ‘no less favourable’ principle. -UKASnews

Reporter: Eisner Nala
Translator: Ryan Lim
Photographer: Ameerul Shafiq