BINTULU: The handover of Bintulu Port's status from a Federal Port back to the Sarawak Government marks a historic moment that will strengthen the state's position as a competitive economic and industrial hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the takeover of the port is the result of a mutual understanding reached between the Federal Government and the Sarawak Government, in line with the spirit of the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

According to him, Bintulu Port was originally under state jurisdiction, but was handed over to the Federal Government during a previous administration era to enable the development of the port to be executed through loan financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which required a central government guarantee.

“At that time, Sarawak was unable to provide a loan guarantee amounting to approximately RM400 million, hence an agreement was reached between the late Tun Hussein Onn and the late Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub to place the port under the management of the Federal Government to ensure development could proceed,” he said.

He said this while speaking at the Cheque Presentation Ceremony following the status change of Bintulu Port from a Federal Port to a State Port, which was officiated by Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Bintulu Port on Sunday.

The Sarawak Premier also expressed his appreciation to the Federal Government for agreeing to return the port to Sarawak through a compensation mechanism mutually agreed upon by both parties.

He explained that the takeover process was not a free handover as misunderstood by some parties; instead, it involved a compensation payment for the port's assets based on mutual agreement.

In the meantime, he emphasised that Sarawak is committed to continuing the advancement of Bintulu Port with modern facilities and the latest technology, in line with changes in the global economic landscape that increasingly focuses on low-carbon development and clean energy usage.

He explained that the recognition of Bintulu by the World Economic Forum as a Transition Industrial Cluster opens up huge opportunities for Sarawak and Malaysia to emerge as leaders in sustainable, green energy-based industrial development.

“With our advantage in renewable energy and commitment to a low-carbon economy, Bintulu Port will play an important role in supporting future industrial growth and strengthening Malaysia's position internationally,” he added.

He also recorded his appreciation to Federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, and all officials involved in the negotiations and the port's status transition process until it was successfully realised.

Also present were Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Federal and Sarawak Cabinet Ministers, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Ministers, heads of departments, and local community leaders. — UKASnews

Prepared by: Firdaus Materang
Photos by: Mohamad Rais
Translator: Ryan Lim