BAU: A Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) complex will be built in Serikin here to enhance the border security between Kalimantan, Indonesia and Sarawak.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said there is an urgent need to build the complex in order to prevent any unwanted illegal activities from occurring in the border village.
“We will do the CIQS immediately and (it is expected to be completed) within this one year. We have to do it. If not, anything can happen,” he told reporters after visiting the proposed CIQS site at the Malaysia-Kalimantan border about four kilometers away from the thriving Serikin weekend market yesterday.
He said Sarawak welcomes and encourages the trade activities in the border village. However, he noted there were both legal and illegal business transactions going on.
“The Customs Department informed that in last three years the trade volume has increased by ten times and today’s trade volume through Serikin is about RM40 million.
“From the RM40 million, the unregistered business trade… meaning it is illegal is about 20 percent,” he said.
He pointed out that for safety and security reasons, the state saw the urgent need to set up the CIQS facility while at the same time encouraged the positive trade activities between Kalimantan and Sarawak.
“Today, I have visited the border and after discussing with the relevant authorities, we feel we need to improve the facilities here in Serikin and also improve the border security.
“What we suggest here is that… We want to set up a new CIQS that is not far from the Serikin border post, and authorities such as police, customs and immigration will be stationed here so that the place is well monitored,” he said.
Abang Johari added the road connecting Serikin to the border area will also be upgraded.
“I will call the State Security Committee for a meeting to discuss the development in this area to ensure the flow of business activities went well and more importantly, to control illegal activities such as smuggling,” he said.
When asked on the cost of the proposed CIQS, Abang Johari estimated it at RM10 million. He said he would consult the new Prime Minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) for the Federal government to fund the project.
During the last State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting in May last year, Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep had urged the Federal government to build a CIQ in Serikin to better control the movement of goods, people and vehicles from Kalimantan, Indonesia to Malaysia.
