By Karen Bong and Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, April 10: Sarawak’s strategic location in the middle of the India-China sea route, coupled with its control over Bintulu Port will open up opportunities for the region’s logistics sector and enhanced bunkering services to supply fuel to ships, particularly in Bintulu.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised the abundant opportunities to elevate Sarawak’s logistics industry, given Sarawak’s push in green initiatives, including methanol as well as proposed green methanol and ammonia.
“The global shipping lines are moving away from fossil fuel to using methanol. This will enhance our bunkering services, given our advantageous position along the sea route from east to west (India to China and Far East).
“With green fuel, it is only consequential, the ships will come to refuel using methanol,” he told reporters at the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house hosted by him and his wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Abang Johari foresees Bintulu’s potential as a strategic international seaport, contingent upon the logistical infrastructure’s capacity to accommodate large vessels.
“Tanjung Manis can become another port, which is why we want to set up a central port authority to effectively develop the ports in Sarawak,” he added.
Furthermore, Abang Johari emphasised that 2024 will see Sarawak securing three strategic entities—Bintulu Port, Affin Bank and MASwings.
“We secured Bintulu Port from the federal government already and (over) the next two weeks will be Affin Bank and by end of the year, MASwings.
“I’m very confident as we have signed the MOU (memorandum of understanding) and the federal government has agreed to continue subsidising Rural Air Service (RAS) by MASWings which the Sarawak government is going to take over,” he said.
Abang Johari highlighted that the airline will be managed with a different approach and business model, unlike commercial airlines.
“The airline is crucial for Sarawak as this region is located on an island. I have a different business model which I will reveal in the future,” he added. — DayakDaily
