Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has stated that Sarawak intends to acquire Bintulu Port and MASwings Sdn Bhd this year.

He stated that these are three critical issues that the state administration wishes to reclaim from the federal government.

“The Bintulu Port and MASwings are two of the three things we are negotiating with the federal government to have returned.

“As for the third, wait first,” he advised reporters after attending the fifth anniversary dinner for the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) on Tuesday (Aug. 1) night.

The federal government and the state governments are currently negotiating to assume control of Bintulu Port, which serves as the nation’s primary LNG port.

For streamlined management, operations, and development, Sarawak wants Bintulu Port to be a part of a group of state ports managed by a Central Port Authority.

A memorandum of understanding between the state government and Malaysia Aviation Group on the purchase of MASwings is also about to be signed.

Abang Johari stated in his earlier address that within the following three to six months, Sarawak would reclaim three objects from the federal government.

“This will finish off our financial system. “Sarawak’s standing will improve when our economy is robust,” he remarked.

The Sarawak sovereign wealth fund will start operating in 2019, according to Abang Johari.

He promised to make the board of directors for the fund public soon.

The Sarawak Legislative Assembly approved the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund Board Bill 2022 in November.

It will start out with RM 8 billion to help the state’s financial stability.

Info source – The Star