By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, May 30: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today (May 30), that the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes in Tebedu, Sarawak and Kalabakan, Sabah, are set to receive top priority for upgrading.
This development comes as Indonesia prepares to move its capital to Nusantara, a newly planned city on the eastern coast of Borneo.
Saifuddin disclosed this when asked by local media in Miri during a press conference after launching Bekenu Immigration Depot’s ‘Baitul Mahabbah.
The relocation of Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to Nusantara, about 870 miles north of its current location, is expected to have significant implications for regional infrastructure and border management.
The Indonesian government’s decision, approved by President Joko Widodo in August 2019, aims to address issues of overpopulation and environmental vulnerability in Jakarta.
East Kalimantan, the site of Nusantara, was selected for its strategic location near the sea and its low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.
With the new capital set to emerge in Borneo, Malaysia is accelerating its efforts to enhance border security and facilitation.
The ICQS complexes in Tebedu and Kalabakan are slated for comprehensive upgrades to improve personnel allocation, infrastructure, and overall operational capacity.
These upgrades are expected to streamline cross-border movement and trade, enhancing security and economic activity in the region.
“Tebedu and Kalabakan are now our top priorities for ICQS upgrading,” Saifuddin stated.
“Given the strategic significance of these locations along the Sarawak-Sabah border and the impending establishment of Nusantara, we are committed to developing these complexes to meet the highest standards of efficiency and security,” Saifuddin disclosed.
The Tebedu ICQS complex is particularly noted for its pivotal role in cross-border interactions.
Alongside Kalabakan, it has been earmarked for accelerated implementation of upgrades.
These enhancements will encompass the expansion and modernisation of facilities, including immigration, customs, and road construction, as well as the deployment of additional police and security personnel.
The move is expected to facilitate smoother, more secure transit between Malaysia and the new Indonesian capital, fostering greater economic and social integration in the region.
Also present during today’s press conference were Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala and Women and Child Development Deputy Minister Datuk Rosey Yunus. — DayakDaily
