The Sarawak Government has officially taken ownership of Bintulu Port following the completion of its transfer from the Federal Government on 16 September 2026.
The handover ceremony was held at the VVIP Terminal of Kuching International Airport and witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook formally handed over the relevant documents to Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
The documents included several legal orders and amendments required to complete the transfer of Bintulu Port from federal to state administration.
Among them were the Ports (Privatisation) (Amendment to Schedule) Order 2026 and the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) (Vesting Date) Order 2026.
The handover also involved the implementation of the Declaration of an Area in the Bintulu District to be a Federal Port (Repeal) Act 2024 and the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act 2024.
Although the official ceremony took place on 16 September, the transfer had already taken effect on 1 September 2026.
With the change, Bintulu Port is now classified as a state port instead of a federal port, placing its administration and management under the Sarawak Government.
All assets, rights, interests and obligations previously held by the Bintulu Port Authority have also been transferred to the state government.
As part of the restructuring, the former Bintulu Port Authority was dissolved, with its responsibilities taken over by the Bintulu Port Authority (Sarawak).
The new authority is a state statutory body established on 1 September 2024 under the Port Authorities Ordinance 1961.
The takeover marks the completion of a process that began more than three years ago.
Sarawak first announced its intention to take over Bintulu Port on 30 January 2023, before receiving approval from the Sarawak Cabinet on 23 February 2023.
The Federal Government later agreed to the proposal, with Anwar announcing its approval during the tabling of Budget 2024 on 13 October 2023.
Both governments subsequently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 March 2024 to move forward with the transfer process.
On 4 February 2026, the Federal and Sarawak governments agreed on a takeover value of RM1.8 billion for the Bintulu Port Authority.
A Completion Agreement was later signed on 21 June 2026, with compensation arrangements finalised as part of the transaction.
The transfer represents an important development in Sarawak’s efforts to strengthen its control over strategic infrastructure and manage its own port operations.
It also supports the state’s broader development plans and reflects ongoing efforts to implement provisions associated with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Bintulu Port is one of Sarawak’s major maritime facilities and plays an important role in supporting the state’s industrial and energy sectors.
The deep-water port serves industries in Bintulu and is a key export facility for liquefied natural gas (LNG), contributing significantly to Malaysia’s energy trade.
It also supports regional shipping and trade activities, including connections within the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
With Bintulu Port now under state administration, the Sarawak Government will have greater responsibility for overseeing its operations, infrastructure development and future planning.
The takeover is expected to support better coordination between port development and Sarawak’s wider economic priorities, particularly in industrial growth, logistics and international trade.
The official handover coincided with the national Malaysia Day 2026 celebrations in Kuching, which were held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching later that evening.
Anwar arrived at Kuching International Airport at approximately 5.35pm and was welcomed by the Sarawak Premier before attending the ceremony.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian, as well as Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar.
Federal and state cabinet members, deputy ministers, senior government officials and other dignitaries also attended the event.
The completion of the transfer marks a significant milestone for Sarawak, giving the state direct responsibility for one of its most important ports while strengthening its role in Malaysia’s maritime, logistics and energy industries.
