KUCHING (Dec 2): The Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) has intensified efforts to enhance river navigation safety across the state by installing 65 new Aids to Navigation (ATON) as of Oct 31, 2025, said Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. He said the ATONs have been installed across five divisions, namely Kuching, Bintulu, Mukah, Miri and Kapit, comprising 52 signages, four buoys and nine marine lanterns.
“To enhance river navigation safety, SRB continues to upgrade ATON across Sarawak. “The Vessel Surveillance and Monitoring System (VTMS) at Sungai Sarawak is fully operational, while the Sungai Miri system is under construction and targeted for completion by the third quarter of 2027,” he said when winding up him ministerial speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here.
Lee said SRB’s regulatory and operational responsibilities remain extensive, with the board continuing to maintain reliable riverine infrastructure for public use. “As of Oct 31, a total of 2,616 vessels utilised SRB wharf facilities, with 28,566 Gross Tonnage (GT) and 255,324 tonnes of cargoes, while passenger terminals recorded 487,653 passengers. “In addition, 17,587 vessels anchored at SRB’s designated anchorage areas, with Miri anchorage recording the highest usage at 17,244 vessels,” he said. He also said that as of Oct 31, the board issued 6,034 River Transport Permits (RTP) for vessels of various categories, including 2,793 cargo vessels, 1,438 tugboats and 1,800 passenger vessels. “SRB is also responsible for issuing permits for riverine activities under Sarawak Rivers Ordinance (SRO) 1993. “As of Oct 31, a total of 459 permits were issued for activities such as constructing wharves, jetties, and bridges, as well a s pipeline and cable works, and water sports,” he said.
On safety compliance, Lee said SRB enforces the requirement for a Marine Traffic and Risk Analysis (MTRA) study for all river-related engineering works, as stipulated under Regulation 53A of the Sarawak Rivers (Traffic) (Amendment) Regulation 2011. “The Riverine Traffic and Navigation Safety Committee (RTNSC) reviews and endorses these studies to ensure navigation safety. “As of Oct 31, 79 MTRA studies have been endorsed, 50 completed, and 29 ongoing,” he said. In terms of enforcement, he said SRB carried out 1,311 river patrols, 1,372 vessel inspections, 113 festive and school-holiday operations, 30 joint inter-agency operations, and 150 industry inspections, while issuing 96 compounds amounting to RM60,400 for the year 2025 as of Oct 31.
“To strengthen capacity building for boat operators, SRB and the Marine Department Malaysia (MARDEP) Sarawak Region, conducted three series of the Certificate of Competency (CoC), Mate Below 500GT courses for domestic and riverine operations. “A total of 113 local boat operators from various areas of Sungai Sarawak, Selampit, Bengoh Dam, Bakun HEP, and Sungai Belaga completed the training. This programme ensures operators are professionally certified and able to navigate Sarawak’s waterways safely,” he said.
