KUCHING: Bintulu Port has been officially declared a free zone for investment and industrial expansion.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the port will continue to serve as an important hub in supporting supply chains, attracting investments and driving downstream economic activities.

He added that the port will serve as a catalyst for new investments and industrial expansion in tandem with the rapid development taking place in the area.

“A well-structured free zone is not merely about incentives, but about creating an ecosystem that encourages innovation, efficiency and long-term industrial presence.

“In this regard, I encourage Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad (BPHB) to implement this initiative with urgency and clear direction,” he said.

He said this while speaking at the BPHB 30th Anniversary Dinner at a leading hotel here on Tuesday.

In efforts to enhance industrial efficiency in the area, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari said the government is exploring new dimensions of connectivity through the development of a rail network.

He explained that it will connect Samalaju Port and Bintulu Port, with strategic studies currently underway to improve the efficiency of industrial movement between the two ports.

“This rail network, in simple terms a railway, connecting Bintulu, Kidurong and Samalaju will create a three-satellite network to enable faster movement of goods and people using green technology,” he said.

The highlight of the ceremony saw the Sarawak Premier witnessing the handover of the approval-in-principle for the Samalaju Port Free Commercial Zone from the Ministry of Finance to BPHB.

He also witnessed the presentation of a RM28 million dividend from BPHB to the Sarawak Government through the Sarawak Financial Secretary for the year 2025.

The event also saw the exchange of memoranda of understanding between BPHB and Sarawak Petchem, Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), as well as Brooke Holding.

Also present were the Sarawak Premier’s daughter Dayang Norjihan, Deputy Premiers of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Sarawak Minister for Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak Secretary and BPHB Chairman Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Ministers, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of BPHB Dato Ruslan Abdul Ghani and other distinguished guests. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photo: Jaed Tepus
Translator: Suhaila AW