KUCHING: The first interstate control post in Sarawak will soon be built in Lawas to deal with the rampant entry of illegal immigrants and cross-border crime along the Sarawak-Sabah border.
First Infantry Division commander Major-General Datuk Dzulkafli Mustaffa said the matter has been approved by the state government.
He said there was a need to build the post as the area was an entry point for illegal immigrants and a hotspot for cross-border criminal activities in Sabah and Sarawak.
“My party had informed the matter to the Sarawak government who agreed to assist in the construction of the post.
“The military laud the strong support of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan in providing us a 1.3 hectare plot of land to build the post.
“The post will also be built with funds from the Sarawak government,” he told the media after officiating at the First Infantry Division 56th anniversary parade at Camp Penrissen, here on Saturday.
In this regard, Dzulkafli expressed his appreciation to the Sarawak government for its willingness to help build the post.
Meanwhile, he said, four control posts that had been planned earlier were still under construction.
He said the control post at Tapak Megah is 50 per cent complete, while the control posts at Padang Pan, Sungai Paoh and Batu Kaya are now at 85 per cent completion.
Dzulkafli explained that army personnel and members will be mobilised to occupy the three posts once they are completed.
The 56th anniversary parade of the First Division at Camp Penrissen here involved 27 officers and 463 personnel, led by the Commanding Officer of the Eighth Royal Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Jamaludin Ahmad Tajudin.
It also saw the presentation of the Commander’s Certificate of Honour to eight teams as well as 17 officers, members of other ranks and civilian staff.
