KUCHING: Border posts and the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) complexes along the Malaysia-Indonesia border will be improved with upgraded facilities and roads as the construction of Nusantara has intensified.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said this was one of the topics covered at yesterday’s Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council Meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
According to him, areas along the border posts and ICQS complexes, including the roads, would be upgraded and developed as Kalimantan is built into Indonesia’s new capital city.
“ICQS complexes in our neighbouring country have been completed and equipped with convenient facilities.
“Therefore, during the meeting, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg spoke out about the need to improve the roads and two ICQS facilities (in Tebedu and Biawak).
“Other than that, the roads from Tebedu to Serian need to be upgraded as they are frequently used by travellers,” he said after handing over boxes of mandarin oranges and ang pows to the elderly and the disabled at Jalan Sungai Tengah in Matang this morning (Jan 21).
Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Plantation and Commodities, also noted that the physical development in Sarawak and Sabah falls under his purview and will be reviewed with Minister of Works Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Considering the priorities of Sarawak and Sabah with respect to what will be done this year and beyond, he noted that adjustments will be made to the initial amount of RM1 billion that has been declared.
“Our border posts will also get an upgrade, including stronger security features in addition to increasing the number of posts.
“Along with increasing the frequency of patrolling activities, we will also add and upgrade the assets of our military and police personnel at the posts,” he said.
Fadillah also brought up the wellbeing of the security personnel on duty at the country’s border.
“There are a lot of topics to be discussed regarding the necessity to secure our border,” stressed the deputy prime minister.
