by Nancy Nais
SERIKIN, March 1: The Sarawak government will build a new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex, to replace the existing one here.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said it is high time to upgrade the current complex in order to enhance border security and to better control the movement of people, goods and vehicles from Kalimantan, Indonesia into Sarawak.
He revealed that the CIQ complex will cost about RM10 million.
“This must be done urgently. Serikin needs a CIQ complex as the number of visitors keeps growing of late,” he told reporters after a visit to the proposed site located along the Sarawak-Indonesia border today.
Abang Johari acknowledged that foreign traders have been moving freely to trade and sell their goods in Serikin, which is within Sarawak’s territory.
He also noted there may be criminal elements of smuggling and intermingling among traders which could pose security threats to Sarawak.
He added that the estimated trade volume is about RM40 million and there is a possibility at least 20 per cent is from illegal smuggling.
“We will identify where to obtain the allocation for this (for the new CIQ complex), whether it will come from the federal or state government,” he said.
The current immigration and customs post in Serikin is about 3km from the border, and about 25km from Bau town.
Most of the vendors come from Kalimantan, crossing Serikin on motorcycles or mini vans to sell clothes, furniture, handicraft and food. — DayakDaily
