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.