Bintulu: The process of handing over Bintulu Port to the Sarawak State Government is expected to be completed within the next few months after all key issues have been finalised, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He mentioned that a final meeting with Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas will be held soon to conclude the necessary matters.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the final agreement is being prepared, with legal and pricing issues already resolved. Loke confirmed that the federal and state governments have reached a consensus on the final cost of the handover. He provided these updates during a press conference following the launch of a new route under the BAS.MY Kuching Stage Bus Service Transformation Programme.
Loke further explained that the draft final agreement has been completed and is now awaiting Cabinet approval before the official handover can occur. He noted that the process has been time-consuming, stemming from the relevant act on the dissolution of the Bintulu Port Authority passed about two years ago. The enforcement of the authority's dissolution and the official handover to the state government remain contingent upon the signing of the final agreement.
The Federal Government and the Sarawak State Government have agreed in principle on a value of RM1.8 billion for the state's acquisition of Bintulu Port. Meanwhile, Loke announced that the Ministry of Economy has approved a RM445 million project to upgrade the Miri Airport building under Rolling Plan 1 (RP1) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) last month.
He revealed that the upgrading works are expected to begin this year, following the approval of the cost based on the value assessment review session held on March 17. Loke emphasized the importance of expanding Miri Airport, as it is the second busiest airport in Sarawak after Kuching International Airport. In addition to being a key domestic airport, it serves as a major hub for Rural Air Services (RAS) operated by AirBorneo, playing a pivotal role in connecting Sarawak's interior areas with major towns and enhancing air transport accessibility for rural communities.