By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 16: Bintulu Port was officially handed over to the Sarawak government as a State port today, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and recognising Sarawak’s rights and status as a founding partner of Malaysia.
The symbolic handover took place on Malaysia Day at Kuching International Airport, where Transport Minister Anthony Loke handed over the Federal Government Gazette to Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
The ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
In a statement, Anwar said the handover represented an important milestone in the implementation of MA63 and reflected recognition of Sarawak’s rights and position as a founding partner of Malaysia.
He also reiterated the federal government’s confidence in Sarawak’s ability to manage and operate the port.
“I reiterate the federal government’s confidence that the Sarawak government has the expertise and capability to manage and operate Bintulu Port efficiently and to the best of its ability,” he said.
According to a media release, Sarawak Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development highlighted that Bintulu Port officially changed its status from a federal port to a sState port on Sept 1, 2026 following the coming into force of the Declaration of an Area in the Bintulu District to be a Federal Port (Repeal) Act 2024 (Act 858) and the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act 2024 (Act 859).
The Bintulu Port Authority, a federal statutory body under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, was dissolved with effect from the same date.
Its role as the port authority has been taken over by Bintulu Port Authority (Sarawak), a State statutory body established on Sept 1, 2024 under the Port Authorities Ordinance, 1961.
The symbolic handover involved four documents, including the Ports (Privatisation) (Amendment to Schedule) Order 2026 and the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) (Vesting Date) Order 2026.
Under the latter order, all property, rights, interests and obligations of the former Bintulu Port Authority were transferred to and vested in the Sarawak government with effect from Sept 1.
The takeover process began in January 2023 when Abang Johari announced Sarawak’s intention to take over Bintulu Port.
The proposal was approved by the Sarawak Cabinet the following month, while Anwar announced the federal government’s agreement to the takeover during the tabling of Budget 2024 in Parliament in October 2023.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the federal government and Sarawak government was signed on March 22, 2024, followed by the passage of the relevant Bills in the Dewan Rakyat on July 17 that year.
On Feb 4, 2026, both governments agreed on a takeover value of RM1.8 billion.
A Completion Agreement was subsequently signed on June 21, followed by a cheque handover ceremony from the Sarawak government to the federal government in Bintulu.
Established under the Bintulu Port Authority Act 1981, Bintulu Port began operations in 1983 as a deep-water port.
It was developed as a key driver of industrial activity in Bintulu, particularly the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, and remains an important export gateway for Malaysia’s LNG.
Its strategic location along international shipping routes also positions Bintulu Port as an important transportation and distribution hub within the BIMP-EAGA region. — DayakDaily
