KUCHING: Sarawak is set to explore a new phase of digitalised river transport with the proposed Grab Sampan Proof of Concept (POC), submitted by Grab (Malaysia) Limited to the Ministry of Transport Sarawak.
Minister of Transport, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, said the six-month pilot project would complement ongoing efforts to enhance and modernise the state’s river transport services.
He said the proposed POC will be implemented along the Kuching Waterfront and will involve eight designated pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) points.
“This initiative aims to strengthen first and last mile connectivity, improve the safety and reliability of river transport services, and promote heritage and tourism mobility along the Kuching waterfront corridor,” he said in his speech at the Sarawak Rivers Day Conference 2025 in conjunction with World Rivers Day today.
Lee added that the ministry, together with the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), welcomed the forward-looking proposal and would study it in detail to ensure its feasibility and alignment with broader transport development objectives.
“This initiative exemplifies how innovation and digitalisation can rejuvenate traditional river transport, creating modern, sustainable, and inclusive mobility solutions for the people of Sarawak,” he said.
He also highlighted SRB’s collaboration with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) to support affordable and sustainable water transport through the RON95 petrol subsidy for passenger boats, implemented on 9 October 2025.
Lee said SRB had submitted data on more than 208 commercial boats and small vessels with River Transport Permits (RTP) to KPDN for further action.
“KPDN will also form a committee under the Sistem Kawalan Petrol Bersubsidi (SKPS), with SRB serving as a member representing the public water transport sector in Sarawak.
“SRB’s responsibilities include verifying registered boats with valid RTPs, reviewing data for subsidy eligibility, and ensuring proper oversight to prevent abuse,” said Lee.
He noted that SRB is also collecting data on private small boats and longboats used by rural communities as their main mode of transport.
A total of 5,765 private boats and longboats have been compiled and submitted to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) as supporting data for the targeted BUDI95 subsidy, ensuring no eligible beneficiaries are overlooked.
He further outlined several strategic initiatives under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) aimed at integrated maritime and riverine transport development to synchronise transport, tourism, and environmental priorities.
Among the key priorities are the expansion of the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) to Miri River and other locations, development of Integrated River Transport Hubs to enhance connectivity and logistics efficiency, improvement of community ferry services to strengthen rural accessibility, and digitalisation of vessel tracking and licensing systems to ensure greater transparency and operational safety.
Lee said these initiatives will help build a riverine network that is connected, competitive, and climate-resilient, supporting Sarawak’s economic ambitions while preserving the ecological and cultural value of its rivers.
