KUCHING, July 12: Construction of the Tapak Megah sites which have been identified for the proposed Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex will soon begin when there is road accessibility to Tapak Megah 1 (TM1).
Infrastructure and Ports Development (MIPD) Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said the sites have been approved by the relevant agencies and MIPD is currently designing the road access.
He said, however, temporary buildings are now in progress at the site which is 265km from Kapit town and 20km away from the Indonesian border.
Masing, who is also Sarawak State Border Security Committee chairman, emphasised that TM1 construction is crucial as the capital of Indonesia is moving to Kalimantan, which is closer to Sarawak.
“TM1 construction is urgent because Indonesia’s capital will move to Kalimantan in six years’ time when about three million people will also move.
“This area is only 450km from the Indonesian capital,” he said during a site visit to Tapak Megah today.
TM1 was identified as a site for the General Operation Forces (PGA) forward base, Tapak Megah 2 (TM2) for CIQ and Long Singut at Ulu Sg Baleh for border control post.
Among those accompanying Masing were Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner DCP Mancha Ata, PGA Sarawak Commander Saini, Deputy Kapit Resident Galong Luang, Bukit Mabong district officer Douglas Pungga, Public Works Department (JKR) and Land and Survey. — DayakDaily
