Proposed Serikin ICQS post still in initial stage, says Tasik Biru rep

Henry releasing fish fry into the river adjacent to the Gerai Tani.

By Jacob Achoi

BAU, Sept 6: The proposed Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) post in Serikin is still in the documentation and design stage.

Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said the message was relayed to him by permanent secretary to Ministry of Infrastructure, who was present during the recent visit by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to Telok Melano.

“For the ICQS in Serikin, which will be much bigger than the one in Telok Melano, I was informed (by permanent secretary to Ministry of Infrastructure) that the project is still in the process of obtaining document and design stage.

“The project is being delayed because of Covid-19 pandemic,” he told reporters today after officiating at the opening of ‘Gerai Tani Jagoi’ along Jalan Serikin, near here.

Henry said Abang Johari has on March 1 this year visited the site of the Serikin ICQS project, which will be much bigger than the one in Telok Melano because of import and export activities between Malaysia, particularly Sarawak and Indonesia.

Explaining further, Henry said the construction of the ICQS  project will not encroach the existing Serikin border market.

“The development of the ICQS in Serikin will not affect the trading activities in Serikin border market.. we will preserve the market,” he asserted.

Earlier in his speech, Henry said Serikin was becoming more popular, which made it critical to provide trading premises like stalls selling agricultural products for the local farmers to sell their produce.

He added that the ‘Gerai Tani Jagoi’ was of his initiatives through Bau District Council to prepare the local farmers with the growing popularity of Serikin, which is closed until Dec 31 due to Covid-19 pandemic.-DayakDaily