By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, April 8: Negotiations to return the administration of Bintulu Port to the Sarawak government will begin soon, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Fadillah said they will discuss the matter with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) at the Federal level to see if they will agree to hand over the administration of Bintulu Port back to Sarawak in accordance with what is provided for in the constitution and also the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) report.
“We will hold a meeting with the relevant agency at the Federal level first and then form a committee between the Federal and Sarawak governments at the administrative level.
“If the matter can be resolved, then it will be taken to the technical level, and if not, it also will be taken to the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) level to be decided,” he told reporters at the Darul Ibadah Mosque in Kampung Kudei Lama, here yesterday.
On Jan 30, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari said that the Sarawak government wishes to take back Bintulu Port from the Federal government to be developed in line with strategies drawn up for all ports in the region.
Meanwhile, Fadillah said three pieces of undeveloped lands owned by the Federal government in Sarawak have also been identified to be returned to the regional government.
He also said currently, a technical meeting between Sarawak, Sabah and the Federal government is also being held in relation to the land acquisition and the amendment of laws to include representatives from both Sarawak and Sabah in Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
“Right now, matters involving health and education have yet to be brought to the technical level because it is still at the initial level,” he explained. — DayakDaily
