By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, April 14: Sarawak must upgrade its border posts to be nearer to Indonesia’s border, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He pointed out that at the Tebedu-Entikong border, Indonesia has upgraded its facilities, in which he calls for Malaysia to do the same, too, including the need to relocate the existing Tebedu Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex.
“Now, it (Tebedu ICQS Complex) is relatively far (from the border).
“Thus, the area between the ICQS complex and the border is a ‘no man’s land’, so our people have identified a location nearer to the border (for the Tebedu control post), and we will upgrade the basic facilities,” he told reporters after officiating at the Sumbangsih Raya 2023 presentation ceremony held at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
Abang Johari also called for equal attention to the Biawak-Aruk border post in Lundu and proposed border posts at Long Singut and Tapak Megah in Ulu Baleh, Kapit.
“We have identified an area called Tapak Megah, but I think we need to rediscuss this matter because we want the control post to be near the border, or else it (the area between the post and the border) will become a ‘no man’s land’.
“So legally speaking, it is quite difficult if there is any smuggling activity so that we will set up a control post there.
“Another control post is in the northern Sarawak (specifically) Ba’Kelalan that we will upgrade,” he added.
At the same time, Abang Johari clarified that the border posts are under the purview of the Ministry of Defence or the federal government.
However, the Sarawak government is ready to work with its federal counterparts to offer the sites to develop border posts in the region.
In his earlier speech, he also mentioned that when the current Deputy Prime Minister, Datu Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was the Defence Minister, the former offered a matching fund to assist the federal government in developing border posts in the region.
“This is an old story from when the existing Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid was still the Defence Minister.
“We went to Tebedu, and I asked him, ‘YB, why don’t we upgrade this?‘ and he said, ‘Oh (this is) very costly‘ (sic).
“So I promise him ’50-50’ where the federal government allocates 50 per cent of the fund, while the Sarawak government gives the remaining 50 per cent but until today ‘lagik nunggu‘ (still waiting),” he emphasised.
Amongst those present were the Premier’s wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; Deputy Minister of Women and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus; and Deputy Minister of Community Wellbeing Mohammad Razi Sitam. — DayakDaily
