KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Government has, in principle, agreed to hand over Bintulu Port to the Sarawak government at a value of RM1.8bil.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the transfer is currently at its final stage, involving ongoing legal processes.
He said concerns that the transaction would burden the Sarawak government did not arise, as the state has the financial capacity and the arrangement was mutually agreed.
“On whether the Sarawak government can afford it or not, I think there’s no need to worry. The state government itself is not concerned.
"I am confident of Sarawak’s financial capability, and they have even expressed a desire to pay in a lump sum," he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Feb 4).
Loke was responding to a question from Oscar Ling Chai Yew (PH-Sibu) regarding the current status and payment amount for the port.
He stressed that Bintulu Port remains a Federal port under the Bintulu Port Authority until the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act comes into force.
Responding to a supplementary question from Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut) on whether the government would disclose detailed transaction info, Loke said it was subject to the discretion of both the Federal and state governments.
He added that a technical committee is currently refining legal aspects to ensure all obligations are fulfilled.
