Take-over of Bintulu Port by state government from federal government to be finalised by end of next month

KUCHING, May 20 2026: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah told the state legislative assembly (SLA) that the handing over of the Bintulu Port will be finalised by the end of next month.

Caption: Deputy Premier Douglas says consolidating all the ports to be finalised by third quarter of this year 

He said the consolidation of all state port authorities under a central port authority - the Sarawak Ports Authority - to be finalised  by the third quarter of this year.

“This will streamline policy-making, regulation, and harmonise development efforts alongside the implementation of strategic Sarawak ports masterplan,” he said in his winding up speech in the SLA.

In December last year, the federal government agreed to the transfer of Bintulu Port to Sarawak government for a value of RM1.8 billion.  

Uggah, who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, also said the state ports recorded encouraging growth in early 2026, with throughput in the first quarter having increased by 10% compared to the first quarter of 2025.  

“This demonstrates the resilience of our economy in this uncertain geopolitical climate,” he said.

He also said that the state ports are undergoing development through strategic projects such as the proposed dredging and associated works at Batang Baram Delta, Miri, which is targeted to complete by the end of 2026, to enable deeper draught vessels to call at Miri Port.

He said the vehicle yard at Senari Terminal has been expanded to accommodate 1,000 additional vehicles, raising total capacity to 3,500 by 2026.

“This move positions Senari as a leading regional hub for car distribution; extension of wharf at Senari Terminal by 250 meters inclusive of 30 meters for mooring dolphin, this will allow the port to handle more vessels.

Tanjung Embang masterplan finalised, physical and infrastructure development expected next year

 By CW Claire

KUCHING, May 20 2026: The state government is in the process of finalising the detailed masterplan of Tanjung Embang development, Premier Abang Johari Openg said today.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says the deep-sea  port will handle larger cargo volumes 

He said physical and infrastructure development is expected to begin in 2027 through a PPP approach.

“A key part of this masterplan includes the New Kuching International Airport (NKIA) and a deep-sea port, which will facilitate connectivity, support trade and expand our participation in regional and global supply chains,”  he said in his winding up speech in the state legislative assembly (SLA) today.

He stressed that NKIA will be developed as a future-ready aviation hub, with an initial capacity of 15 million passengers a year, scalable to 60 million.

“It will improve passenger travel, air cargo logistics, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services.

“The deep-sea port will handle larger cargo volumes, support industrial expansion, and connect Sarawak more effectively to global trade, while complementing hubs such as Bintulu and Samalaju,” he said.

“As Sarawak moves into its next level of advancement, it is imperative that we take bold steps to stay competitive.  

“The Sarawak Gas Roadmap is part of that effort. It is a roadmap leveraging on gas for export and to create more value across four hubs – Kuching, Bintulu, Samalaju and Miri.

“Building on the roadmap, we are now developing the integrated Kuching Low-Carbon Hub (KLCH) in Tanjung Embang, centred on sustainability, innovation, and high-value investment.

“Supported by natural gas from Western Sarawak, it will provide reliable lower-carbon energy for industries such as advanced manufacturing, food processing, digital economy, and circular economy activities,” the premier said.

He said KLCH is gaining strong international traction, saying that the state government has established strategic partnerships with leading industry players namely China Jiangsu International and Sumitomo Corporation, Japan.

He added growing interest from Europe and other regions reflects confidence in KLCH’s long-term potential.

“With its prime location and shared infrastructures, Tanjung Embang is well positioned to become a competitive low-carbon gateway for trade, logistics, and green industries,” he stressed.

Sarawak govt plans to set up Kuching Ai Data Campus in Tanjung Embang

 By Mohd Abdullah Lee

KUCHING, May 20 2026: The state government is planning to establish Kuching AI Data Campus in Tanjung Embang as a catalyst for Sarawak's future AI Grid ecosystem. 

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says the state government's ambition is to position Sarawak as a leading player in the regional digital economy 

Premier Abang Johari Openg said a 405=hectare site has been identified, which will be equipped with dedicated energy and water supply to support data centre operations, AI computing and digital inter connectivity nodes.

“The project will be implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP) approach, beginning with an initial phase covering approximately 120 hectares,” he said in his winding up speech in the state legislative assembly (SLA) today.

The premier said he led a state-government delegation visiting the Isambard-AI Supercomputer— the United Kingdom's fastest and most powerful AI supercomputer, in Bristol.

He added the visit fortified state’s aspiration to develop sovereign AI compute infrastructure that can serve as the backbone of Sarawak's digital future.

“Our ambition is to position Sarawak as a leading player in the regional digital economy — a place where innovation is nurtured, where talent is valued, and where the benefits of the AI revolution are shared by all Sarawakians,” Abang Johari.

The premier also said that the Sarawak Aerospace Advisory Council (SAAC) has been established to provide strategic direction and comprehensive guidance in driving the establishment of Sarawak's aerospace sector, in line with current global industry standards.

He said the state government will also  establish the Sarawak Space Agency as the main coordinating entity with the role of planning, forging partnerships and developing local capabilities.

“We are also targeting the launch of Sarawak’s first nanosatellite by 2030, through CubeSat-based technology — which involves the use of small satellites for real-time data and earth observation,” he said.

He added Sarawak will have the capability to develop its own satellite system to obtain earth imagery, geolocation data and strategic information for planning, environmental monitoring and resource management.

“As Sarawak moves into its next level of advancement, it is imperative that we take bold steps to stay competitive,” he said, adding that the Sarawak Gas Roadmap is part of that effort.

Five alternative routes created to ease traffic congestion in Kota Samarahan

 By Mohd Abdullah Lee

KUCHING, May 20 2026: The state government has created five alternative routes to ease traffic congestion in Kota Samarahan, especially, especially around Taman Samarindah.

 

Caption:  Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan says the development in the Taman Samarindah area is based on the overall future land use planning and road net.

Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the alternative routes were created through the approval of land development in the Taman Samarindah, Taman Samarax, Taman Merbau and Taman Meranti areas.

He said the routes connect the areas involved to the Kuching Outer Ring Road (KORR) and Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa, thus improving traffic access in and out of the area.

“In addition the development in the Taman Samarindah area is based on the overall future land use planning and road net,  work for the area,” he said in his winding up speech in the state legislative assembly (SLA) today.

He added that several other major infrastructure projects were also implemented to strengthen the communication system in the area, including the Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa upgrade project and the construction of Jalan Samarahan–Bukit Berangan which has now been fully completed.

At the same time, Awang Tengah informed that the construction of the Sejingat Bridge currently being implemented is expected to be a new alternative route that will connect the Samarahan area to Demak Laut.

He also explained that the construction of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) Blue Line from Rembus to Hikmah Exchange which is currently being implemented is among the government's long-term plans to comprehensively address the issue of traffic congestion in the Samarahan area.

"The initiative is part of the government's long-term approach in addressing the issue of traffic congestion in the Samarahan area in line with the rapid development of the area," he said