KUCHING: The Special Committee responsible for overseeing Sarawak’s takeover of the Bintulu Port is urged to promptly schedule its inaugural meeting.
Making the call, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah disclosed that the committee’s initial meeting, initially set for Nov 1, was deferred due to unforeseen circumstances.
“In Parliament, different issues were brought up, including the technicalities of such a devolution, which includes the staffing, financial understanding, concessions agreement, ownership model, legal authority, the need to amend or repeal the Bintulu Port Authority Act and also how it fits into the overall Bintulu Port Development Plan.
“Hasbi, in reply to the issues raised, stated that the ministry has established a special committee at ministerial level and a working committee at official level from the federal government and Sarawak government to address these pertinent issues.
“The purpose of this committee was established to be a platform for the federal government and the Sarawak government to carry out the exchange of relevant information regarding the intention of the Sarawak government to change the status of Bintulu Port from a federal port to a state port.
“Discussions that will be carried out, including obtaining more information from the Sarawak government regarding the acquisition method of Bintulu Port.
Once the information has been researched and refined accordingly with the Sarawak government, the results of the research will be raised to the level of a Special Committee, whose membership consists of the Minister Transport, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah Affairs, Sarawak and Special Tasks), Deputy Premier of Sarawak, and Minister of Infrastructure and Por
Once the Special Committee meeting has been held and the research from the results of the meeting has been completed, he said the ministry will prepare a Cabinet Memorandum that will be prepared by the Malaysian Transport Ministry to inform the findings of the discussion and obtain consideration and approval from the Cabinet.
“While I welcome such a move, my main concerns raised are the progress timeline for such action, and I also hope that the next meeting will be held soon,” he said.
Dr Yii highlighted the public interest in the matter, emphasising the need to ensure that any arrangements and agreements benefit Sarawak comprehensively and act as a growth catalyst in the region.
“I will continue to follow up on this matter in my capacity, especially to ensure the timeline is properly adhered to without any unnecessary delays.”
Dr Yii also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Transport Minister Anthony Loke for consistently upholding the interests of Sabah and Sarawak, as outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) report.
He acknowledged that the devolution of port authority would not have transpired without their commitment to these principles.
