By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Aug 26: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing will work out ways with relevant authorities on how to tighten port security against the intrusion of Covid-19 into Sarawak.
He said the detection of the novel coronavirus which causes Covid-19 among ship crew members which was reported in Bintulu recently has prompted the necessity to tighten up all the ports’ security throughout the state.
“I will work out ways with relevant authorities on how to tighten our ports against the intrusion of Covid-19 into Sarawak,” Masing told DayakDaily when contacted today.
He also concurred with Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas on the need to tighten up security along coastal areas as well as along the border with Kalimantan, especially ‘jalan tikus’ (illegal trails) to prevent the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
“As for the security along the border, we will keep the present security personnel strength until the end of the year,” he said.
Masing, who is also the chairman of the state border security committee, said for the long-term, the government will build more Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complexs (CIQs) along the border to ease legal crossings.
The construction of a number of new CIQs have been approved such as the one at Telok Melano, which Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had visited recently.
Others include one at Tapak Megah and a smaller one at Long Singut in Ulu Kapit. — DayakDaily
