Bintulu needs its own university, international school, says Tanjong Batu rep

KUCHING (Nov 15): Bintulu, an oil and gas town with growing international presence, is in need of a university and an international school, said Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang.

Given the scale of Bintulu’s industrial and economic activities, he said it is essential that a university be established there to support the educational and industrial needs.

“With free university education on the horizon in 2026, a university in Bintulu will allow our youth to pursue higher education and specialised courses locally, reducing the need for them to move away from home to access quality education aligned with industry demands.”

Pang said this when debating the Supply (2025) Bill, 2024 during the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.

Pang asserted that an international school, catering to both local and expatriate families, would enhance Bintulu’s appeal as a vibrant, livable industrial hub.

Such initiative, he added, would attract skilled talent from abroad and improve the local educational landscape.

“An international school in Bintulu will not only benefit the families moving to the area, but also provide a global standard of education to our local community, further elevating Bintulu as a centre for growth and opportunity,” he explained.

The government backbencher also proposed for a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) to be established in the Bintulu division.

“Bintulu and Samalaju deep-sea ports hold enormous potential as key trade hubs.

“An FTZ will encourage companies to import, store and export goods with reduced tax constraints, making Bintulu an attractive choice for international trade.

The FTZ, he said, would bring more job opportunities, increased economic activity and improved infrastructure.

This, in turn, strengthens Sarawak’s position as a player in the global trade network, bringing immense benefit to the local economy, he pointed out.

Pang also highlighted the overcrowding problems at the Bintulu Hospital which has raised a cause of concern among the community.

For that, he suggested that the relevant authorities consider either expanding the hospital or constructing a second hospital to meet the increasing healthcare demands in the division.

Additionally, he also brought up the need for an additional government health clinic in Bintulu.

“This will help ease the patient load at the hospital and provide more accessible healthcare options for our residents,” he said.

Meanwhile, in supporting Petroleum Sarawak Berhad’s (Petros) appointment as the sole gas aggregator, Pang opined that this would streamline operations, attract strategic investments and boost Sarawak’s revenue.

“With Petros leading in this capacity, Sarawak is poised to become a key player in Malaysia’s energy sector, driving growth and prosperity for all Sarawakians,” he enthused.

Given Bintulu’s status as the region’s main oil and gas town, he called for plans to be put in place to extend gas pipelines to domestic residences in the division.

Sarawak’s gas wealth, he said, would benefit Sarawakians and provide them with affordable energy sources.