By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Jan 13: The Sarawak government has officially taken ownership of the Bintulu Port after securing a major stake of RM1.8 billion in Bintulu Port Authority.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas credited this to the Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s strategic negotiation skills which led to the successful acquisition of the port, highlighting it to be a major part of Sarawak’s broader economic growth.
“The Bintulu Port Authority is ours. Congratulations to Yang Amat Berhormat Premier (who is an) economist, (who is) smart, firm and tough. Now it (the negotiation) has been settled. They agree to a very reasonable price of RM1.8 billion. That is the wisdom of Yang Amat Berhormat Premier,” said Uggah at a townhall session “The Premier Address: Nine Glorious Years” with Sarawak civil service, held in conjunction with Abang Johari’s Ninth Anniversary as Sarawak’s Premier.
He added that the Bintulu Port deal, while a long-anticipated move, has now been successfully concluded, marking another milestone in Sarawak’s economic journey.
“The Bintulu Port may be an old story, however, today, the deal has been sealed,” said Uggah.
Of note, on July 17, 2024, the Dewan Rakyat approved the Bill to repeal the Bintulu Port Authority Act 1981 and the Declaration of an Area in the Bintulu District to be a Federal port without amendments through the approval of the Federal Port (Repeal) Bill 2024 and the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2024. The Bill aimed to transfer the powers, rights, duties, liabilities, and obligations of the Bintulu Port Authority to the Sarawak government.
Meanwhile, highlighting Sarawak’s financial growth under Abang Johari’s leadership, Uggah noted that the State’s revenue rose from RM6.5 billion in 2017 to RM14.2 billion in 2024, before a slight dip to RM13.5 billion in 2025.
He said that while at one time, Sarawak was looked down upon, now Sarawak has risen up and has become a force to be reckoned with.
“Today, Affin Bank is ours. Not long later, we launched Air Borneo. Before this, I have thought Sarawak would have our own airline. Now we have our own airline. Only Sarawak has an airline.
Uggah also pointed out other initiatives under Abang Johari, including the acquisition of the Bakun Hydro-electric Power Dam, the establishment of the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Fund, and various green initiatives.
“This was a statement by Yang Amat Berhormat PMX (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that we (Sarawak) is an economic powerhouse of Malaysia as well as the battery of ASEAN,” said Uggah. —DayakDaily.
