SIBU, Jan 11: The Sarawak government has allocated RM4 million under 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to undertake a study for the Sarawak Port Masterplan which will start with Miri Port Authority this year.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Dato Majang Renggi said this shows that the Sarawak government recognises the importance of ports in contributing towards the overall development of the State.
“The study is aimed at improving the efficiency of port services, including port consolidation, enhancing port security through installation of Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS), Aids to Navigation (AtoN) facility, crane, dredging works and exploring new business opportunities,” he said in a news report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) today.
With that, Majang said he supports the development and improvement of all State ports including Rajang Port Authority (RPA) in line with the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) towards making Sarawak an advanced State with high income by 2030.
“RPA plays an important role and is significant in steering the logistic or cargo transportation industry in the central region of Sarawak.
“I am pleased to inform you that RPA has performed well in serving the business community in Sibu and other small towns in the region,” he said when addressing the RPA dinner at a hotel here yesterday (Jan 10).
Majang shared that RPA has recorded a positive increase in cargo volume in 2022 with approximately 1,492,819 metric tonnes, an increase of 5.77 per cent, compared to 1,411,425 metric tonnes in the previous year.
“I hope that RPA will continue with the positive performance and strive to exceed the expectations of customers including meeting the needs of daily operation and administration of customers both domestically and abroad,” he called on.
Majang, who is also Samalaju assemblyman, was also delighted to note that RPA will implement its zoning project this year with the aim of handling both container cargo and general cargo more effectively.
He also noted that RPA is planning to obtain a unit of Mobile Port Crane and Straddle Transporter this year.
“Ports are important and critical to Sarawak’s economic development, especially to support trade and sustainable movement of the supply chain.
“The efficiency of ports will directly affect the economy of a country, given that more than 85 per cent of global goods are transported by sea and handled by ports around the world,” he said.
RPA chairman Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum and wife Lucy Hon Salang, Ministry’s permanent secretary Chew Chee Yau and RPA general manager Datin Helen Lim were among those present. — DayakDaily
