By Adrian Lim
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17: Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang has proposed the federal government set up more immigration checkpoints along the Malaysia-Indonesia border in Sarawak.
She explained that the measure will beef up border security and prevent the entry of illegal immigrants into Sarawak.
She believed the current number of immigration checkpoints is insufficient to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the state.
She also noted that the federal government has carried out Ops Benteng to prevent such illegal cross-border movement in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, and as such, the federal government needs to look into establishing more immigration checkpoints to safeguard Sarawak.
“Sarawak is a state which has a long border with West Kalimantan, (Indonesia) spanning 1,881 kilometres.
“In spite of that, there are just 11 checkpoints.
“As part of the measures to ensure the security of the country and to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants, I would like to suggest to the Defence Ministry to increase the number of immigration checkpoints from 11 to 25.
“Besides, there should be more (General Operations Force) personnel to patrol and monitor the security at the border,” she said during her debate on Budget 2021 in Parliament here today. — DayakDaily
