KUCHING: The passing of several new Bills during the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sessions in May and November last year has a profound impact on Sarawak’s legal landscape.
According to State Attorney-General Datuk Seri Saferi Ali, among the most impactful were the Sarawak Port Authority Ordinance 2024, the Sarawak Distribution of Gas Ordinance (Amendment) 2016 and the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance 2024, which collectively enable Sarawak to manage the matters enshrined under each respective ordinance more effectively.
Citing the Sarawak Port Authority Ordinance 2024 as an example, he said the legislation effectively replaces the Sarawak Port Authority Ordinance 1961, which had been in use for over six decades.
“The new Ordinance is a transformative piece of legislation designed to modernise the governance and operations of ports across Sarawak by introducing a unified framework to streamline management, standardise policies and enhance operational efficiency across all ports with the establishment of the Sarawak Ports Authority as a centralised regulatory body overseeing the management and operation of the ports.”
Saferi said this in his speech at the opening of the Sabah and Sarawak Legal Year 2025 ceremony held at Hikmah Exchange here on Friday (Jan 10).
He noted that the enactment of this Ordinance is not merely a legislative success but a testament to Sarawak’s vision for the future—a vision that leverages Sarawak strategic geographical location and abundant natural resources to build a competitive and sustainable port ecosystem.
In addition, he said that Sarawak’s success in passing two other ordinances—the Sarawak Distribution of Gas Ordinance (Amendment) 2016 and the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance 2024—represents a bold declaration of Sarawak’s vision to create a sustainable future.
“In 2024, Sarawak reached another critical milestone in its clean energy journey with the amendment to the Sarawak Distribution of Gas Ordinance, 2016, making it the first in Malaysia to specifically regulate the activities and matters involving hydrogen.
“This forward looking piece of legislation redefines the scope of the Ordinance to include hydrogen as a regulated gas, addressing the unique requirements of this emerging energy resource.”
He also said that the the initiative of Sarawak government towards promoting green energy and economy is further supported by the passing of the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance, 2024.
“This Ordinance had repealed the old legislation, the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance [Cap. 84 (1958 Ed.)] where it provides for better provisions to conserve, manage and enhance the environment and natural resources, control pollution and other matters related to it.”
During the event, he also expressed his appreciation to the Federal Government and the Federal Attorney-General’s Chamber (AGC) for assisting Sarawak in reclaiming rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including the transfer of rights over Bintulu Port from the federal government to the Sarawak government.
“Their cooperation has been instrumental in advancing Sarawak’s efforts to reclaim its rights under the MA63,” Saferi said.
