SRI AMAN: The state government wants to develop and modernise its ports, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in justifying his decisions to create the Ministry of Infrastructure and Ports Development and the Ministry of Transport during the recent Cabinet reshuffle.
“Everyone knows that every state that has an economy which depends on trade, import and export must have new and modern ports,” he said at the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Zone 6 roadshow in Lachau, near here yesterday.
He highlighted that ports and harbours are the state’s rights under the constitution.
With Indonesia moving their capital to Kalimantan and potentially using Sarawak’s ports for import and export, Abang Johari reasoned that the expansion of the ports would be
necessary.
The chief minister however denied that the state government was considering taking over Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd, which is under the federal government.
He also noted that some people were questioning the establishment of a new portfolio — the Ministry of Transport.
He pointed out that roads in the urban areas and coastal roads are Sarawak’s roads.
“We need to focus on our urban transport and traffic management. Even Kapit and Sri Aman have traffic jams now,” he quipped, adding that someone had to be designated to oversee such development.
