A port changes hands

Bintulu Port stopped being a federal port on 1 September 2026. It now sits under the jurisdiction of the Sarawak state government.

Two Acts made it happen

Parliament repealed the law declaring the Bintulu district area a federal port, and dissolved the Bintulu Port Authority. Act 858 and Act 859, both passed in 2024.

Filed with the bourse

Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd disclosed the handover in a filing to Bursa Malaysia, making it a formal event for shareholders rather than a quiet administrative shuffle.

Running on a stopgap deal

For now the port runs under a heads of agreement dated 27 July 2026 between the Sarawak government, the new state port authority and operator BPSB. The full concession agreement is still unsigned.

“pending the execution of the Port Operation Concession Agreement”

Same operator, state blessing

Sarawak's Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development wrote to BPSB on 23 June 2026 approving it in principle as the port operator under the Port Authorities Ordinance 1961.

Nothing changes at the wharf

BPHB says services to customers, port users and other stakeholders continue without interruption. The change is regulatory, not operational.

“all port operations and services will continue without any interruption under the state regulatory framework”

Sarawak calls it a milestone

The board framed the switch as a significant moment for the group and pledged to work with the state and its new port authority to keep operations stable.

“The board views the transition as a significant milestone for BPHB and BPSB.”