MIRI: The reopening of Brunei’s land border on Monday (Aug 1) went without a glitch with smooth immigration clearance reported at the Sungai Tujoh ICQS Complex in the morning.
A brief check around 8.30am at the checkpoint saw that more than six counters operating.
Several on-foot travellers coming from Brunei’s side were also spotted crossing the border early in the morning.
Brunei’s border was closed the past three years owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Majority of Bruneians as well as Sarawakians working in Brunei who were met at the Sungai Tujoh checkpoint in Miri were excited over the border reopening.
Mohd Nazri, 34, whose mother is a local here while his father is a Bruneian, said the border reopening is a huge relief as now he could finally visit his mother’s side of the family.
“Its just like a ‘Balik Kampung’ trip for me as now I can go back to Miri to visit my mother’s family here,” Mohd disclosed.
Another Bruneian, 40 year-old Mohd Hilham Zaini , expressed relief that now he can visit Miri once again after three years.
“Of course, we are happy and relieved because finally we can reunite with our friends and family here,” he said.
Monday’s trip would be a day trip for Hilham, as he has to go back before 6pm.
The Brunei’s border is now open daily from 6am to 6pm.
Meanwhile, a Mirian, MacDonald Bangi, who is an oil and gas worker in Brunei, said the process of entering the checkpoint from both sides was hassle-free.
“No congestion at all from both sides of the checkpoint, and it took less than 15 minutes for the whole process,” he said.
MacDonald, an on-foot traveller, arrived at the Sungai Tujoh ICQS checkpoint around 9.30am.
