KUALA LUMPUR: The transfer of Bintulu Port from the federal government to Sarawak is in its final stages, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the finalisation of the RM1.8 billion transfer involves several legal processes.
He dismissed claims that the transaction would burden the Sarawak government, noting the state’s financial capacity and that the figure was mutually agreed upon.
“The Sarawak government is not worried. I am confident in Sarawak’s financial standing,” he said in reply to Oscar Ling (PH-Sibu) on the current status of the port and the total payment involved.
“In fact, they (Sarawak government) want to pay in a lump sum,” he said during the Dewan Rakyat question-and-answer session.
Loke said Bintulu Port remains a federal facility under the Bintulu Port Authority until the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act is enforced.
“A technical committee co-chaired by the federal and state governments is refining the legal aspects to ensure all obligations are met by both parties,” he said.
Loke added that the transfer does not involve any private entities.
Responding to a supplementary question from Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut) on whether the government is prepared to disclose full details of the RM1.8 billion transaction to a Parliamentary Special Committee, Loke said this would depend on both governments.
“The valuation aspects are still being refined by the technical, special, and working committees before they can be finalised.
“As this is an agreement between the federal and state governments, it is up to both parties whether to disclose the information.
“At the Transport Ministry level, we have no problem because there is nothing to hide. It is being done transparently,” he said.
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