MIRI: The Sarawak government has allocated RM4 million to set up additional lanes and booths at Sungai Tujuh Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex, addressing the current traffic congestion issues.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that this will resolve immediate capacity concerns, providing relief during peak periods until more permanent solutions are in place.
Apart from people from Brunei, he said, there were also growing numbers of tourists from Japan and Korea that entered Sarawak through Brunei.
“We believe that the Sarawak government is also responsible to improve the infrastructure at the ICQS to cater the ever-increasing number of travellers and visitors, especially during weekends and festivals.
“Therefore, we have approved RM4 million to implement temporary measures to address the issue while waiting (for more allocation) under the 13th Malaysia Plan,” he said during his visit to ICQS Complex here on Thursday.
According to a press release, the fishbone-shape booth layout design at the complex creates a bottleneck, with only one exit and entry route after the travellers cleared their immigration documents and underwent customs checking.
The design significantly impacted the smooth traffic flow and movement of vehicles within the complex.
Apart from that, the shortage of Immigration and Customs personnel has resulted in the under-utilisation of the booths, leading to traffic congestion and the lack of signboards at the entry and exit points created confusion among drivers.
There were also insufficient custom counters to cater the ever-increasing number of travellers and visitors over the years.
Among the proposed temporary enhancements included additional lanes at the entry from Brunei to Miri and additional booths or checkpoints at entry and exit from Brunei.
At the same time, the existing fishbone-shape custom booth layout will be changed to a toll-shape design. The construction is expected to be completed within six months.
Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Immigration Department director Datuk Ken Leben were among those who present.
