KUCHING, Fri — The Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) has been tasked to lead the discussion with the Ministry of Transport( MOT) in Putrajaya over the state’s intention to take back the Bintulu Port.
The port is now a federal port under the MOT.
Its Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg gave the directive during the monthly state Cabinet meeting on Thursday.
“The premier had said he only wanted to acquire one port in Bintulu. This is no small task.
“We will have to look at the port authorities ordinance 1961. We hope to table a bill in the State Legislative Assembly Sitting by year end,” Uggah said this last night during the ministry Chinese New Year 2023 gathering at a local hotel here.
The state government wanted the Bintulu Port to be part of the cluster of state ports, under a Central Port Authority which will be incorporated by state law.
Uggah added another big task for the ministry is to come up with the Sarawak Port Masterplan.
The study costing RM4 million aimed at improving and enhancing the efficiency of port services, Port security through the installation of Vessel Traffic Management System( VTMS), Aids to Navigation( AtoN) facility, crane, dredging works and exploring new business opportunities. To be piloted at Miri Port Authority.
On another issue, Uggah stressed that the ministry and all agencies under it had still a lot to do this year.
“We have revived many sick projects although they are still a nagging problem. We still have 340 critically delayed projects.
“Our Premier too, during a recent state development co-ordination Committee in Kapit three days ago had wanted the Public Works Department (JKR) and Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to ensure all development projects entrusted to the Ministry to completed as scheduled and with the stipulated quality.
“But I am optimistic with our close collaboration, support and understanding we can raise to the occasion. We can learn from our past mistakes, the success we have achieved and the many new technologies that we can use.
” I am also very grateful to my two deputy ministers Dato Majang Renggie and Ir .Aidel Lariwoo for being very helpful and supportive, ”
On the ministry performance last year, Uggah said out of the RM7.724 million Operating Expenditure, it managed to spend RM7.548 million or 97.71 per cent.
However, on the Development Expenditure, out of the RM942.991 million allocated, it had spent RM642.751 million or 68.16 per cent, he said. -TVS
