SIBU: Ports are vital for economic development as they enable trade and support supply chains.
Infrastructure and Port Development Deputy Minister Datuk Majang Renggi said the efficiency of a port directly affects the economies of the country, since more than 85 percent of global trade is transported via sea and handled by ports worldwide.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder that when ports slowed down, everyone suffered,” he said at the Rajang Port Authority (RPA) annual dinner here on Tuesday (Jan 10).
The Samalaju assemblyman said the state government recognises the importance of ports in the overall development of the state.
This was evident when in 2018 the name of the ministry was renamed from Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation (MIDT) to Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD).
“As the deputy minister in charge of the ports in Sarawak, I fullysupport the development and enhancement of all state ports,including RPA, in supporting the government’s PCDS (Post–COVID-19 Development Strategy) 2030 towards achieving a high income society by 2030.
“The state government has allocated RM4 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) for a port master plan study in Sarawak, which will begin with the Miri Port Authority this year.
“It is aimed at improving the efficiency of port services, including port consolidation, improving port safety, for instance, installation of the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS), Aids to Navigation (AtoN) facility and carrying out dredging works and exploring new business opportunities,” he said.
On RPA, Majang said serving as a riverine port, it plays an important and significant role in the movement and transportation of goods and cargo in the central region of Sarawak.
He was pleased to note that RPA has been performing well in serving the business community in Sibu and other smaller towns.
He revealed that RPA has registered a positive increase in the cargo throughput in 2022 of about 1,492,819 tonnes, an increase of 5.77 percent compared to 1,411,425 tonnes the previous year.
On this note, he congratulated RPA general manager Datin Helen Lim Hui Shyan and her team for their hard work and dedication in meeting the port’s common goals and objectives.
Hoping that RPA will continue to perform well and strive to exceed its customers’ expectations, he reiterated that it should also continue to prioritise serving its customers’ daily operational and administrative needs, both domestic and external.
He was also pleased to know that, RPA will be implementing its zoning project this year with the objective of effectively handling both the containerised cargo and general cargo.
At the same time, he stated that RPA is also committed to procuring one unit of Mobile Harbour Crane and a Straddle Carrier this year.
“I would like to thank all RPA’s board members for their contributions and guidance, management and staff as well as stakeholders in the RPA community for their dedication and cooperation in implementing various initiatives that have enabled RPA to achieve success over the years.
“I believe that with the commitment and spirit of cooperation from all parties, RPA will continue to do its best,“ Majang said.
RPA chairman Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum and Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development Permanent Secretary Chew Chee Yau were among those present.
