SIBU: The Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) will continue to play its role as facilitator and coordinator to handle and resolve issues related to maritime and riverine transportation in Sarawak.
Its deputy minister Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said the ministry has tried its best to fulfil the role through the Maritime and Riverine Transport Division and Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) since the formation of MOTS in August 2019.
“MOTS has been actively engaged and has conducted a series of meetings, dialogues, and discussions with Sarawak’s shipping industry players and the Malaysia Marine Department, as well as with other relevant government departments and agencies, to resolve issues pertinent to shipping in Sarawak.
“MOTS will continue to engage and welcome feedback from the relevant stakeholders from the government agencies as well as the private sector to maintain our role as the facilitator and coordinator to resolve crucial issues faced by the shipping industry in Sarawak,” he said.
He said this in his speech representing MOTS Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin during the 34th Executive Committee (2023-2024) Installation Ceremony at the Kingwood Hotel here yesterday (Feb 17).
Elaborating, the Tasik Biru assemblyman said that MOTS would also ensure that the state government’s policies are in line with its agenda, protect its interests, and at the same time boost the shipping industry in Sarawak.
“Each of us here is important to the Sarawak shipping industry as we are the stakeholders; we have our role to play in ensuring the state’s shipping industry is progressing and well administered,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the Post COVID-19 Development Strategies 2030 (PCDS 2030) as mooted by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Jinep said the state has a very clear development direction to achieve a developed status and a high-income economy by the year 2030.
“To achieve this goal, we must plan and carry out development in tandem with the PCDS strategies. All of us need to work hard to accelerate our economic growth by ensuring we are not left behind and are in line with the PCDS development strategies.
“I also believe that in the shipping sector, we need to establish a strong collaboration between the stakeholders and the regulatory bodies to ensure the prosperity and progress of the shipping sector in Sarawak,” he said.
In the meantime, Henry congratulates and welcomes all of the newly elected committee members and hopes that the new committee lineup will contribute greatly to the benefit and progress of the association.
