KUCHING: The handing over of Bintulu Port to the Sarawak government augurs well with the state’s effort to develop its economic sector.
Political analyst Professor Datuk Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman said the handover which is expected in June this year is timely.
“As Sarawak is currently focusing on its development and economic prosperity, this handing over will definitely help in their goal and will also definitely benefit Sarawak and Malaysia in general,” he said.
Moreover, with Sarawak finally taking over the port, he pointed out that it can also help Sarawak achieve its vision to develop the port as a major transport hub in the Asia Pacific region.
“I am sure the port will be significant later if it is managed well. Because when it is well managed, it will definitely speed up the process and all the matters related to trade in the state,” he said.
Fadzil noted that political stability in the state allows the Sarawak government to focus on the economy through this port.
“This development is also seen as one of the efforts to fulfill their promise, thus following the guidelines under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said.
It was reported that Bintulu Port will be handed over to the Sarawak government in June this year.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and federal Minister of Transport Anthony Loke stated that the state government will create the Bintulu Port Board under the Port Board Ordinance 1961, to ensure the operation of the port will run smoothly once the state government takes over.
They said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed next month to realise the handing over of the port to the state government by the federal government.
