By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Nov 24: The Sarawak government holds hundred percent autonomy over Kuching, Rajang, Miri, Tanjung Manis, and Samalaju Port Authorities, says the Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (Port Development) Dato Majang Renggi.
Majang, who is also the Samalaju assemblyman, stated this when responding to Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang Leong Ming’s question in today’s question and answer (Q&A) session at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting at the DUN complex here.
Pang questioned whether the Sarawak government should consider granting the Sarawak State government complete autonomy over port authorities, as well as giving preference to local Sarawakians for key management positions in the management and operations teams.
“For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Tanjong Batu, over 80 per cent of global trade by volume and about 70 per cent of trade value is handled by ports worldwide.
“It is undisputed that ports are crucial and play significant roles in contributing to the economic growth of Sarawak.
“It is the Sarawak government’s policy that its ports authorities be controlled and managed by our own Sarawakians,” Majang explained.
He went on to say that the Sarawak government has complete control over the port authorities in Kuching, Rajang, Miri, Tanjung Manis, and Samalaju.
“As for the Bintulu Port Authority, it is a federal statutory body under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport, Malaysia.
“On employment matters, all management and operation posts in our Sarawak port authorities are Sarawakians,” he said. — DayakDaily
