Kuching Port ‘can weather economic storm’
KUCHING: Kuching Port Authority ( KPA) is confident that it can face up to the challenges of 2017 economic year because of its prudent management practices.
Its chairman Dato Awang Bemee Ali Basah said the port would not only maintain but also enhance its prudent financial management which is instrumental in overcoming any challenging period.
KPA has set certain benchmark and standard when it was the first port in Malaysia to be awarded the new ISO 9001: 2015 Standard on management of containerised, dry bulk and general cargo handling operation.
“It marks KPA’s successful transition from the current ISO 9001: 2008 to the new operation standard which is added riskbased approach. Both Senari and Pending Terminals of Kuching Port Authority were accorded the quality operation standard on Sept 23, 2016. In 1998 KPA also became the first port in Malaysia to be awarded the MS ISO 9002:1994 standard on management of container handling,” he said.
The port would then have to maintain cost, productivity and efficiency on top of trying its best to increase revenue to enable it to overcome the challenges, he said at KPA End of Year Appreciation and Certificate presentation ceremony held at its headquarters complex in Pending yesterday.
“We have passed the mark and we will continue to enhance our services and contributions for the economic growth of the state and country,” he added.
“In terms of cargo throughput, KPA is expected to handle about 9.25 million tonnes of cargo and 221,210 TEUs (containers) by the end of this year. Within the framework of AFTA and AEC under the BIMP-Eaga border trade at Tebedu- Entikong will
We have passed the mark and we will continue to enhance our services and contributions for the economic growth of the state and country.
be increase and promoted. This will facilitate more cargo through put at Kuching Port and Tebedu Inland Port. We have started to build Bulk Cargo Facilities at Senari Terminal for the next three years,” he pointed out.
Awang Bemee said the much awaited capital dredging project worth RM360 million of Sarawak River under the 11th Malaysia Plan ( 2016 to 2020) would allow bigger cargo vessels and cruise ships to access the Independent Oil Terminal and Kuching Port without having to wait for the tide.
KPA has purchased a new brand patrol board to facilitate the security unit in patrolling Sarawak River and its surrounding areas effectively, said Awang Bemee adding that KPA now has a total of three patrol boats.
“This will allow the Security Unit (of KPA) to be able to beef up the patrolling of private jetties in relation to security surveillance and enforcement of sufferance permit regulation as well as to detect any illegal activity in these areas within the limit ( jurisdiction area) of Kuching Port,” he said.
At the event, 29 retiring staff received their appreciation certificates from KPA board members. Several other serving employees received various awards involving recognition, excellence in sports and completion of courses related to their work.
KPA celebrated its 55th anniversary on April 26 this year marking the great effort of all staff of KPA, past and present to continue to serve the logistic community in Sarawak, said Awang Bemee.
KPA also excelled in sports when staff Ng Bee Lian won first runner-up in the Mini Marathon for Women Veteran event representing Malaysian Port in the 12th Asean Ports Association (APA) Sports Meet at Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam on May 9 to 14, 2016.
It also emerged champion in the Chief Minister’s Civil Service Sayembara Dekon competition (July 20 to 21) and also Chief Minister’s Civil Service Sayembara Monodrama competition ( Oct 19 to 20) this year.
Also present at the ceremony were KPA Board members Datuk Dr Wahbi Junaidi, Dr Richard Tan Yoke Seng, Churchill Edward Drem and Asem Linkin as well as Ramahtullah Morshidi, representative of the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Infrastruture Development and Transportation and Kuching Port General manager Rosli Saup.
Dato Awang Bemee Ali Basah, KPA chairman