KUCHING: A technical committee is formed to finalise the takeover of Bintulu Port from the federal government next year said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.
“Through this technical committee, all matters will be thoroughly discussed, including the existing Bintulu Port Act of 1981,” he said, adding discussions are still ongoing at the moment.
Hasbi said the committee would also discuss matters related to workers, assets, and allocations.
“There are many things that needs to be resolved. Therefore, we cannot rush (the process), especially regarding the welfare of the workers which is important,” he said.
The deputy minister said the takeover of Bintulu Port would not have any implications for other ports under the federal government.
“God willing, this year we will try to bring it (the takeover) to Parliament, hopefully in June,” he said yesterday.
He was representing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan at the closing ceremony of Sarawak Quranic Journey Programme organised by the Bintulu Port Authority Board.
Awang Tengah in a text-of-speech read by Hasbi, said the state government intends to manage Bintulu Port on its own terms next year with the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing on March 22 showing Sarawak’s commitment.
“This demonstrates that we are committed to developing Bintulu as a new energy and economic hub, thereby enhancing shipping activities in the region,” he said.
Last week, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the process of changing the status of Bintulu Port to the Sarawak State Port is expected to be completed this year with port operations handed to the state government next year.
