MIRI: The Sarawak-Brunei border checkpoint will be reactivated fully when Brunei reopens its land border on Aug 1.
State Transport Minister Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin thereafter wants the authorities at the Sungai Tujoh checkpoint to prepare for a potential spike in border crossings from there on.
“Our facilities need be in place and ready when welcoming returnees or foreigners via the Sungai Tujoh Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex,” he said.
“I was told that the ICQS Sungai Tujoh checkpoint will operate fully on Aug 1 as they are expecting an increase in volume of travellers coming in after two years of lockdown due to COVID-19,” he said on Saturday at the Sungai Tujoh ICQS after carrying out an inspection of facilities here.
Lee disclosed that the border counters (Sarawak side) operating hours will be from 6am to 6pm, similar to their counterparts from Brunei.
He also reminded all foreign travellers coming from Brunei to fill up their digital traveller cards and Vehicle Monitoring System (VMS) prior entering the ICQS border checkpoints to prevent long queues.
VMS registration can be done via http://customssg7.my
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 7,000 vehicles passed through the Sungai Tujoh ICQS checkpoint daily, and this number increased to 10,000 during the weekend.
On another note, Lee has also instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) to repair potholes along the Sungai Tujoh ICQS area immediately.
