KUCHING, Feb 19: A special taskforce to plan the development of the Sarawak-Kalimantan border has been formed by the Federal government, considering Indonesia’s new capital in Kalimantan.
This was one of the subject matters discussed during the first meeting in 2022 for Socio-Economic Working Committee (JKSE) under the Special Council of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) today.
Representing Sarawak in the meeting was Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan who is also Minister for International Trade and Investment, and Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development.
He said Sarawak had requested additional funding from the federal government to develop more roads and build more Immigration and Quarantine Complexes (CIQs) along the new border.
“In today’s meeting, Sarawak has presented our proposals to develop our border, where we requested the federal government for funding.
“We hope, through this initiative Sarawak can develop more roads to connect border areas and to get Federal government to build more CIQs to safeguard our border,” he said in a statement today.
In terms of funding, Sarawak also requested for more allocations in eight sectors namely Poverty, Infrastructure, Utilities, Healthcare, Education, Administrative and Borneonisation, Land Matters and Financial Matters.
The Federal government agencies had responded to some of these requests while most of the others are still under consideration.
Among other matters was the pursuance for Sarawak representative to be appointed in the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) which is critical to ensure Sarawak can have a say in decision making.
Meanwhile, Sarawak also requested the Federal government to relook into the implementation mechanisms of Federal projects in Sarawak to prevent delay.
The meeting was co-chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Dato Sri Mustapa Mohamed and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah & Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili. — DayakDaily
