SERIAN, Sept 19: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili will bring up issues pertaining to economic and security developments along the Malaysia-Indonesia borders to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA).
He said such issues must be addressed and beefed up ahead of Indonesia’s capital move to the east coast of Borneo Island.
“The Malaysian security forces have anticipated the impacts and effects of the capital move, thus pushing for greater facilities and additional manpower as preparation to man the borders when the time comes.
“After listening to security briefings by the Immigration Department, police, and Sarawak State Security Council, we found out that delayed projects, insufficient funds, and lack of manpower are among the problems faced by the security forces at the borders, in addition to their existing challenges.
“These issues will be highlighted to the Home Affairs Ministry, so necessary action can be taken immediately,” he said after visiting the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) border checkpoint in Tebedu, which is the entry point into Malaysia from Pontianak, Indonesia as part of his four-day official visit to Sarawak yesterday (Sept 18).
He also mentioned that the Indonesian government has acted on security borders ahead of their capital move and that Malaysia should do so too.
“We cannot wait until it is too late to begin development to beef up our borders. We believe there will be heavier traffic once construction of the new capital takes place,” he added.
After visiting the Tebedu CIQS border checkpoint, Ongkili also visited the General Operations Force (GOF)-Police Borders Post at Kampung Sapit, about five minutes from neighbouring Indonesia.
Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities II and Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin was also present to brief Ongkili. — DayakDaily
