SIBU: The Sarawak government plans to consolidate and later privatise its five state ports for greater efficiency and attract foreign investments.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Majang Renggi said the ports are Miri Port, Samalaju Port, Rajang Port, Tanjung Manis Port and Kuching Port.
“Under my ministry, there is a plan to create one port authority for Sarawak which will be called the Sarawak Port Authority (SPA) that will oversee these ports instead of having five different port authorities,” he said.
He said this in his speech during the ‘Gawai Sandau Ari’ (Iban midday offering ritual) hosted by Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai at Rumah Bunsie Tiboh in Salim Belalang here yesterday (Apr 23).
Majang said that the five ports might be divided and grouped into three zones, namely southern zone for Kuching Port; central zone for Tanjung Manis and Rajang Ports; and northern zone for Samalaju and Miri Ports before consolidation and later privatisation.
The Samalaju assemblyman also said that by merging the ports into one identity and upgrading it, Sarawak will be able to attract foreign investments and achieve developed state status by 2030.
Taking the ports in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, China and Europe as examples, Majang said these ports had undergone significant improvements after privatisation.
“Before privatisation, we will need to create a free port zone as a trans-shipment port for foreign vessels before they continue their destination.
“Our ports also will be clustered. For example, Bintulu Port for petrochemicals, Samalaju Port for bulk cargo that will handle iron ore and Miri Port for CPO (crude palm oil) or as general port to handle tourist ships.
“Our ports are one of the important elements for us to achieve our goal of becoming a developed state by 2030. Without ports, we may not be able to achieve this status,” he said.
Also present were Selangau MP Edwin Banta, Baleh assemblyman Nicholas Kudi Jantai, SRDC deputy chairman Wong Ching Yong, Sibu deputy police chief Supt Dr Collin Babat and Sibu Jaya police station head Insp Rodua Tayo.
