KUCHING: Sarawak is expected to fully take over Bintulu Port from the Federal Government by the end of this year, says Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.

The Deputy Premier said a clear timeline on the handover was established during a meeting of the joint federal-state committee on Monday (Aug 26).

"The purpose of this meeting was to address any outstanding issues and to ensure a seamless transition of Bintulu to the Bintulu Port Authority (Sarawak).

"We are on track for the port to be fully handed over by the end of December 2024," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 28).

Uggah and federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke jointly chaired the meeting, which took place at the Transport Ministry's office in Putrajaya.

It was the joint committee's first meeting since the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Bill was passed in Parliament on July 17.

The Bill aimed to repeal the Bintulu Port Authority Act 1981 and dissolve the Bintulu Port Authority, paving the way for the port to be handed over to Sarawak.

Prior to that, Loke and Uggah had signed a memorandum of understanding on March 22 to facilitate Bintulu Port's change of status to a state port.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/28/sarawak-to-fully-take-over-bintulu-port-by-year-end-says-deputy-premier