By Shikin Louis
BINTULU, Oct 15: Bintulu Port’s handover to Sarawak is currently being realised with no more ‘negotiation’ process, says Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“I wish to thank the Unity Government for the handing over of Bintulu Port Authority to Sarawak.
“The ‘negotiation’ (term) is just (referring to) the process because they have to transfer the assets to us (Sarawak government),” he told reporters after officiating at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Special Convention for North Zone at Bintulu Civic Centre here today.
He was giving clarification on Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s speech when tabling Budget 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 13, where the latter said the federal government is ‘negotiating’ to realise the handover of Bintulu Port to Sarawak government.
Earlier in his speech, Abang Johari who is also PBB president and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, stated that the GPS State government has announced that it would establish a central port authority to manage ports under its jurisdiction under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD).
This entity, he said, would comprise Miri Port, Samalaju Port, Rajang Port, Tanjong Manis Port and Kuching Port.
He stressed that despite Bintulu Port operating as a federal port, ports are a right under the State List.
He explained that in the earlier days, the then prime minister Tun Hussein Onn and the then Sarawak chief minister Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub had reached a consensus on the setting up of Bintulu Port.
“At that time, Sarawak has no funds to set up the port and thus, a consensus was reached between both parties to set up the port.
“However, we did not amend our Constitution of State of Sarawak despite the passing of the Declaration of An Area in the Bintulu District as a Federal Port Act (Act 217) in 1978 and later, the passing of Bintulu Port Authority Act 1981 to constitute the Bintulu Port Authority.
“Based on law, there must be consent from the State (State Legislature of Sarawak).
“However, that time was based on mutual understanding between the then chief minister and prime minister. Now, we will take over Bintulu Port Authority,” he elaborated.
Amongst those present were PBB deputy president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; senior vice presidents Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof and Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; permanent chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; secretary-general Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi; Women Wing chief Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; and Youth Wing chief Miro Simuh. — DayakDaily
