The federal government is in the final stages of transferring control of Bintulu Port to the Sarawak government, with the takeover valued at RM1.8 billion. Bintulu Port is one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export hubs.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said both the federal and Sarawak governments had agreed on the valuation after several discussions between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Sarawak plans to make the payment in a lump sum.
A joint technical committee comprising representatives from both governments is currently reviewing the legal aspects of the transfer to ensure all requirements under the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act 2004 are met.
“Once the Act comes into force, Sarawak will take over the regulatory control and management of Bintulu Port,” Loke told the Dewan Rakyat during the oral question-and-answer session on Wednesday.
Until the legislation, also known as Act 859, is enforced, Bintulu Port remains classified as a federal port under the regulatory oversight of the Bintulu Port Authority.
Loke noted that Bintulu Port, like other federally regulated ports, does not receive direct financial allocations from the federal government, as port operations are managed by private concessionaires.
He added that the Bintulu Port Authority acts solely as the regulator, while operations are carried out by concessionaire Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd (KL:BIPORT), which pays annual concession fees. Following the transfer, any future expansion or investment will continue to be undertaken by the concessionaire, with concession payments maintained.
