By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, Jan 11: The Sarawak Immigration Department will temporarily increase the number of service counters and manpower at the Sungai Tujuh Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex to cater to the expected surge in traffic during the upcoming Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday season.
During a visit and briefing session at the complex today, Sarawak Minister for Transport, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said, to manage the CNY festive season influx, the Sarawak Immigration Department will temporarily increase the number of counters to 10.
Additional manpower will also be deployed through interim officers, a Quick Response Team from Miri, and reassignment of staff within the department.
Daily vehicle traffic is expected to double from the usual 1,000 to over 2,000 during peak periods.
Lee added that discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Home Affairs to extend operating hours at the border checkpoint to midnight during high-traffic periods, ensuring smoother cross-border movements between Malaysia and Brunei.
The long-awaited tender for the upgrade of the ICQS Complex at Sungai Tujuh is also expected to be issued this year following the completion of the evaluation process, Lee announced.
He highlighted that there is a critical need for improved facilities due to the significant increase in cross-border traffic.
In 2024, the total number of entries and exits through Sungai Tujuh reached 2,524,937, a sharp rise from 1,796,757 in 2023.
This growth, coupled with the anticipated surge during the upcoming CNY festivities, underscores the urgency of the upgrades.
The Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, has approved a special allocation for the Sungai Tujuh ICQS Complex upgrades.
The Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) has also completed plans for the upgrade and is working closely with immigration officials to ensure minimal disruption to traffic flow during construction.
The project tender was issued on Nov 25 and closed on Dec 18, 2024.
A tender board meeting chaired by the Miri Resident is scheduled for Jan 21 to finalise the decision.
“Construction is expected to commence shortly after CNY,” Lee said.
Lee emphasised that while the current upgrades are a short-term solution, a comprehensive redevelopment of the complex is essential for the long term.
He revealed that he has proposed the inclusion of a long-term plan for the Sungai Tujuh ICQS Complex in Malaysia’s 13th Development Plan.
The existing ‘fishbone’ design has proven problematic, particularly for managing traffic flow, he added.
“Sungai Tujuh is a vital gateway to northern Sarawak, serving both foreign and domestic travellers, including those from Lawas, Limbang, and Sabah.
“Approximately 60 to 70 per cent of vehicles passing through are Malaysian,” Lee said.
“A complete redesign of the complex is necessary to meet future demands,” he added. — DayakDaily
