KUCHING: The Sarawak government will need to compensate Putrajaya once Bintulu Port becomes Sarawak’s property.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the compensation is specifically related to the acquisition of assets.
“Last Wednesday, Parliament repealed the Bintulu Port Act (1981), and as a result, Bintulu Port will be handed over to the Sarawak government after 43 years under federal government control.
“This change allows Sarawak to regulate its ports more effectively through its own laws, specifically the Port Authorities Ordinance 1961, which was enacted before the formation of Malaysia.
“However, the transfer is not free, as Sarawak must pay compensation to the federal government, particularly for the acquisition of assets,” he said in his speech during the Sarawak Day Celebration 2024 held at the Bintulu Old Airport site last night (July 22).
Abang Johari also expressed his gratitude to the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for agreeing to return Bintulu Port to Sarawak by repealing the act.
Meanwhile, he stressed that Sarawak is not neglecting the nation’s interests in its efforts to reclaim its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“In fact, my colleagues in GPS and I support the Madani government led by PMX, and we recognise that the federal government needs to be stable to face a challenging future.
“With the restoration of these rights, I am confident that Sarawak can become a new economic power in the country and in the Asian region,” he said.
He reiterated that the rights and privileges of Sarawak are what their forefathers agreed upon in 1963 and are not new claims or demands.
“All parties should respect these agreements as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, MA63, and the Inter-Governmental Committee Reports (IGC Report),” he added.
He quoted the late Tun Jugah’s words: “Anang baka tebu, manis di pun tabar di ujung” or “Don’t be like sugarcane, sweet at the beginning, bland at the end.”
