KAPIT: Sarawak and Sabah must not lag behind Indonesia, especially with the relocation of the country’s capital to East Kalimantan.
In stating this, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Patinggi Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the federal government will therefore ensure the construction of roads as well as works to upgrade facilities at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complexes along the Sarawak-Indonesia border.
Sarawak, he said, had the greatest potential when Indonesia moves its capital to (East Kalimantan).
“Of course, the federal government will help in developing the existing border roads in Sarawak and Sabah.
“And I am sure the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will (also agree) to widen and and improve on the Kalimantan and Indonesia border roads to ensure the Borneo states are not left behind in comparison to Indonesia,” he said.
He said this during a Gawai Dayak celebration held at Dewan Suarah here on Saturday (June 3).
The Rural and Regional Development Minister also said the existing CIQ Complexes have to be upgraded following the relocation of Indonesia’s capital which will see an influx of visitors into the states of Sarawak and Sabah.
“What more, the Pan Borneo Highway is also a new infrastructure that must be used fully as it will help to drive economic growth,” he said, adding that Kapit Division will also benefit from these developments.
On another note, Zahid called on the people in the state to continue working with the Unity Government to ensure all planned developments can be implemented smoothly.
“This year, Sarawak will celebrate 60 years of independence within Malaysia and this is one of the achievements that we have achieved through political stability,” he said.
He also congratulated Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who assisted by his State Cabinet ministers, is aggressively pushing for more development in Sarawak.
“God willing, the Prime Minister, myself and (Deputy Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof will help accelerate the state’s development,” he said.
In January this year, the Prime Minister said the federal government will allocate an additional funding of RM1 billion to improve border security in Sabah and Sarawak in tandem with Indonesia relocating its capital to Nusantara.
