The Sarawak state government is willing to consider taking over Bintulu Port, which is currently a federal government entity, the Sarawak state legislative assembly told today.

Infrastructure and Ports Development Assistant Minister Julaihi Narawi said it would be part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen the management of the ports, in line with the current development.

“We are studying ways to improve ports management and this include Sarawak’s rights on Bintulu Port,” he said in a response to question from Aidel Lariwoo (GPS-Sadong Jaya) during a question and answer session in Kuching.

Aidel wanted to know the state government’s plans to fully take over Bintulu Port from the federal government and the status of the land of the port site.

Elaborating further, Julaihi said the land which belonged to the state government, had been leased out to Bintulu Port for 99 years, beginning March 5, 1983, for RM1.5 million a year.

“When the lease expires, the land will still belong to the state government,” he added.

In terms of shareholdings in Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd, he said the state government owned 39.72 percent interest in the public listed company.

- Bernama