(Kuching, 16th) Sarawak is planning to establish a unified port authority to coordinate policies and management across the state's main ports, thereby strengthening trade ties with China, Japan, South Korea, and other major Asian economies.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari stated that the agency will be responsible for the policy direction of all the state's ports, in order to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen logistics coordination, and better connect with international trade partners.
"We will set up our own port authority, an agency to manage all ports at the policy level."
"We need to ensure that port operations connect well with trade partners such as South Korea, Japan, or China," he said at the Kuching Port Authority's 65th anniversary dinner last night (May 15).
According to reports from November 26, 2025, the Sarawak Port Authority is expected to be officially operational in the second quarter of 2026. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) has established a special task force responsible for designing the administrative and management structure of this unified agency.
Abang Johari further pointed out that with Sarawak taking over the Bintulu Port, the state’s port network now holds a stronger strategic position.
"We have a major port in Kuching, another major port in central Bintulu, and we are now developing a new offshore port in Miri," he said.
He noted that the new Miri port is located about 8 kilometers offshore, and may drive large-scale coastal development in the future, with its long-term potential comparable to a "mini Shanghai."
"Imagine 10 or 15 years from now, new land may naturally form and buildings may be constructed there. Maybe not as big as Shanghai, but perhaps a mini Shanghai," he said.
Abang Johari added that the Tanjung Embang deep-sea port project will collaborate with the private sector and that PETROS (Sarawak Oil & Gas Company) will lead infrastructure development.
"By then, there will be both a natural gas port and a cargo port, and we hope to become a highly competitive port in Asia."
"If Singapore can do it, I believe Sarawak can do it too," he emphasized.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari stated that the agency will be responsible for the policy direction of all the state's ports, in order to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen logistics coordination, and better connect with international trade partners.
"We will set up our own port authority, an agency to manage all ports at the policy level."
"We need to ensure that port operations connect well with trade partners such as South Korea, Japan, or China," he said at the Kuching Port Authority's 65th anniversary dinner last night (May 15).
Abang Johari further pointed out that with Sarawak taking over the Bintulu Port, the state’s port network now holds a stronger strategic position.
"We have a major port in Kuching, another major port in central Bintulu, and we are now developing a new offshore port in Miri," he said.
He noted that the new Miri port is located about 8 kilometers offshore, and may drive large-scale coastal development in the future, with its long-term potential comparable to a "mini Shanghai."
"Imagine 10 or 15 years from now, new land may naturally form and buildings may be constructed there. Maybe not as big as Shanghai, but perhaps a mini Shanghai," he said.
Abang Johari added that the Tanjung Embang deep-sea port project will collaborate with the private sector and that PETROS (Sarawak Oil & Gas Company) will lead infrastructure development.
"By then, there will be both a natural gas port and a cargo port, and we hope to become a highly competitive port in Asia."
"If Singapore can do it, I believe Sarawak can do it too," he emphasized.