By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, April 1: Sarawak and Indonesia will meet on Monday (April 4) to discuss the standard operating procedures (SOP) which will be implemented to reopen land borders.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) will present their proposal to Indonesia through its consulate during the meeting.
“I am hopeful that both Sarawak and Indonesia can make a decision as soon as possible to enable the borders to be fully reopened. We will meet to finalise the SOP as agreed by both sides.
“At the moment, trade activities between both sides are still closed. However, we need to recover and help our economic sector as we slowly move back to normal life. This is also part of the transition to the endemic phase,” Uggah said after visiting Kuching International Airport (KIA) to review the preparations for receiving international visitors from Singapore.
Uggah who is also SDMC chairman said apart from SOPs for visitors or tourists coming from Indonesia, the other issue which both sides need to sort out is the regular commuters or drivers that enter Sarawak on a daily basis.
This he said, is especially for those who have to deliver goods via land routes.
As to which border checkpoint have been opened, Uggah said at the moment, it is only the Tebedu side, while the rest at Serikin, Batu Lintang and Lubok Antu remain closed.
“On the other hand, we’ve started allowing Indonesians coming from Tebedu from today (April 1). They are allowed to enter Sarawak only for medical purposes. So far the situation there is under control,” he disclosed.
Meanwhile, Miri airport and KIA were reportedly ready for international travelers.
The first flight from Singapore will arrive in Miri tomorrow (April 2), while the second international flight from Singapore will arrive in Kuching on April 3.
Uggah reminded that all travelers who were in transit in Singapore before flying to Sarawak are required to do a pre-departure PCR test, followed by a professional RTK test upon arrival. — DayakDaily
