KUCHING: The Serikin border post should be upgraded as an international gateway in view of the impending relocation of Indonesia’s capital to East Kalimantan.
Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said this upgrade would be able to complement business and trade between the two countries, namely Malaysia and Indonesia.
“In addition, it will facilitate the smooth flow of visitors through the border, which will also boost the economies of both countries in terms of tourism.”
He said this when commenting on Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin’s recent call for more development in Sabah, noting that Indonesia was already working on major highways in Kalimantan with the nation moving its capital there in the near future.
Henry, who is also Progressive Democratic Party vice-president, pointed out that the Serikin border was not even recognised as an international gateway and nothing in this regard seemed to be highlighted in the forthcoming Malaysia Plan.
He said this was disappointing when on the other side, Indonesia was actively upgrading their border post with sound infrastructures.
“We hope that our state leaders will voice up this issue to the federal government so that they are more alert of what is coming towards us here in Sarawak.”
He shared that he had recently attended a meeting with government departments regarding the Serikin border post.
“I am made to understand that the state government is only putting up a temporary border post and not an Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex equivalent to those in Biawak or Serian, whereas on the other side at Jagoi Babang, they are more comprehensive with staff housing, wider roads, and so on.
“But we can’t blame our state government as borders are federal matters.”
He said that whether the Indonesian capital was in Jakarta or in Kalimantan, border security was always a concern.
“It is for that reason that we have to upgrade our border post, including the implementation of effective and efficient enforcement control.”
