KUCHING: The Ministry of Infrastructure and Ports Development will continue to look for the best approach in developing all existing ports in the state, says its assistant minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi.
He said ports play an important role in the state’s economic development, as can be seen in any fast-developing city or country around the world.
“In any place around the world which is fast developing, most of these cities or countries have a good and sophisticated port.
“So in our effort to develop ports in Sarawak, the state government through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Ports Development will look into how best to move forward,” he told reporters after attending a briefing and working visit to Kuching Port Authority (KPA) yesterday.
Also present were KPA board chairman Datuk Awang Bemee Ali Basah and general manager Robert Lau.
Julaihi noted that the efforts include developing KPA, which is one of the drivers of the state’s economic growth.
According to him, the ministry is committed to make KPA as one of the ports to assist in Sarawak’s development, particularly Kuching city, in the future.
He also said he will be visiting all ports in Sarawak including Bintulu Port Authority so as to keep an eye on the development of ports in the state.
“This is in line with the ministry’s main objective which is to focus on port development in Sarawak. Our visit to the port is to update ourselves with the latest information on ports in Sarawak and KPA is our first destination,” he said.
After visiting KPA in Pending, Julaihi and his delegation from the ministry also paid a visit to Senari Port and Independent Oil Terminal (IOT) Senari.