Abang Johari (right) officiates at the launch of SIPSB’s 10th anniversary celebration as (from second right) Abdul Mutalib, Uggah, Rundi, Asfia, Sikie, Medan and others look on.
BINTULU (Jan 30): Samalaju Industrial Port Sdn Bhd’s (SIPSB) 10th anniversary celebration represents a decade of dedication to serve Samalaju Industrial Park, said Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad chairman Dato Abdul Mutalib Alias.
He said SIPSB was successfully established in 2012 and achieved its significant milestone of operating the interim phase in 2014.
“SIPSB continued to gear up their momentum and in June 2017, SIPSB officially launched its Phase 1 operation.
“As proud as I am with the endless commitment from the management and staff, I am also grateful for the support from our beloved customers as we embark upon a transformation to become who we are today,” he said during SIPSB’s 10th anniversary celebration dinner yesterday which was graced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said since the inception of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) in 2008, the idea to develop a dedicated import-export gateway to serve the Samalaju Industrial Park is inevitable and year 2010 marked the birth of Samalaju Port Management Unit (SPMU).
During that time, he said only a minimum number of staff were seconded to SPMU and they were headed by Rambli Mashar, Matshalleh Mohammad Etli, Mohamad Mahdini, Rosli Idris, Ding Ibau with some support staff.
Back then, he said these pioneers were responsible to look into the affairs for the development and construction of Samalaju Port.
According to Abdul Mutalib, navigating two ports is never an easy task and in fact, not many ports in Malaysia particularly, handle more than one port.
“We are fortunate to have the skills and experience to guide us in developing and operating Samalaju Industrial Port.
“Managing Samalaju Industrial Port gives us the opportunity to offer more value-creation to investors at Samalaju Industrial Park and at the same time continue to enhance Sarawak’s connectivity to international shipping trades and routes,” he said.
He said the management has also been working closely with the Sarawak government, government agencies as well as listening to the concerns and expectations of customers, in order to improve and serve them better.
“I would like to express my utmost gratitude to the state government and all relevant agencies, for your steadfast support and collaboration to facilitate businesses and operations at Samalaju Industrial Port and Samalaju Industrial Park,” he said.
Among those present were Abang Johari’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Sarawak state secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Dato Majang Renggi, and Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Mohammad Medan Abdullah.