By Shikin Louis
BAU, Aug 9: The ongoing development of the Serikin Integrated Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex is offering Perak a useful benchmark as it plans a similar border facility at Pengkalan Hulu, says Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad.
Saarani said the visit to the Serikin project site today was aimed at studying its development, particularly as Pengkalan Hulu in Hulu Perak shares similar terrain and border characteristics.
Saarani also received a briefing from Kuching Divisional Engineer Wang Say Kwang on the Serikin ICQS project, including its development progress, scope of works and construction plans.
“We came here because we wanted to look at this ICQS development. The situation is more or less similar to another ICQS project that will be built in Perak, at the border between Thailand and Perak, at a place we call Pengkalan Hulu in Hulu Perak,” he told reporters after the site visit.
He said the Serikin and Pengkalan Hulu sites shared similarities, including their hilly terrain and red soil.
He added that Perak was also looking at how the Pengkalan Hulu facility could be developed beyond its role as a border checkpoint, with tourism among the considerations.
“We want to see this because we will be negotiating with the Home Ministry on the cost and also how we want to develop the area, because there we are looking not only at the ICQS but also tourism,” he said.
Pengkalan Hulu borders Betong in southern Thailand, while Serikin is located along the Sarawak-West Kalimantan border.
Saarani said the site visit was part of a four-day working visit to Sarawak by the Perak State Security Working Committee (JKKN) under the National Security Council (MKN).
He said the delegation arrived in Sarawak yesterday and proceeded to Miri, where they visited the Sungai Tujoh ICQS and received a briefing from the Sarawak Immigration Department director Abdul Halim Abang Naili.
The delegation then travelled to Kuching this morning before proceeding to Serikin for the site visit.
Saarani said the briefing by the Public Works Department (JKR) at the Serikin project site had provided useful information for Perak as it works towards developing its own border facility.
“We understand from the briefing, and we hope it can provide us with information because tomorrow I will hold the Perak State Security Working Committee meeting in Kuching,” he said.
The meeting will be held tomorrow before the delegation returns to Perak on Tuesday (Aug 11).
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Transport Sarawak (Riverine and Marine) Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said the visit reflected the value of inter-state cooperation in sharing experiences and best practices in strategic infrastructure development.
In his welcoming speech, Henry said Serikin’s location linking Sarawak with West Kalimantan had become increasingly important, particularly with the development of Nusantara as Indonesia’s new capital.
The incumbent Tasik Biru assemblyman further said the Serikin ICQS would strengthen the movement of people and goods across the border, facilitate trade, boost tourism and create greater economic opportunities for local communities.
“Infrastructure is not merely about connecting destinations, but connecting opportunities, opening up economic space and bringing people closer. That is the foundation of sustainable and inclusive development,” he said.
The Serikin ICQS project, which involves the construction of an immigration post and quarters, is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in December 2027. — DayakDaily
