By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 24: Ba’ Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian has condemned the alleged extortion and illegal seizure of goods at the Malaysia-Indonesia border between Ba’ Kelalan and Long Bawan in Kalimantan, calling for immediate government intervention.
According to him, travellers and traders frequently report being forced to pay bribes ranging from RM100 to RM200 per vehicle to ensure their passage.
Despite repeated complaints, no concrete action has been taken, allowing these illegal activities to persist for years.
“During the recent Chinese New Year period, I was informed that a group of Indonesian visitors who travelled to Lawas in five vehicles to purchase goods, including building materials, had their entire load confiscated by Malaysian army personnel at the border.
“When they later returned to reclaim their belongings, they discovered that while most of the items remained, all the cement and paint they had purchased were missing,” he said in a statement today.
Baru also highlighted a case from June 2023, when two district officers from Long Bawan were extorted by General Operations Force (GOF) officers while returning from the Pesta Lun Bawang event in Lawas.
Despite raising the issue in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) in November 2023, the case was closed with “No Further Action” due to a lack of witnesses and CCTV footage.
He further criticised the federal government’s lack of political will in addressing the issue, stating that local businesses in Lawas have suffered as a result.
“Traders in Lawas have voiced frustration because extortion at the border has discouraged Indonesian shoppers, impacting their businesses,” he added.
At the same time, Baru noted that the construction of the new Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Security (CIQS) complex remains incomplete due to structural defects.
He stressed that once operational, the facility must have strict measures in place to eliminate extortion and ensure accountability among enforcement officers.
With the road link to Indonesia at Long Bawan nearing completion, Baru emphasised that border crossings are expected to increase significantly.
“It is crucial that appropriate plans, procedures, and officer training programs are established now, ahead of the CIQS complex’s opening.
“Our primary objective must be to ensure that all individuals—Indonesians and Malaysians alike—can cross the border without fear of extortion, intimidation, or any form of victimisation,” he said. – DayakDaily
