SEMATAN: The state government has set up a temporary border security post in Telok Melano at a cost of RM500,00 to place three important government agencies, namely customs, immigration, and the police.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said that this was to be used in the meantime while awaiting the establishment of a proposed full-fledged Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP). The project is estimated to cost RM20 million.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the establishment of a CIQ complex between Telok Melano and Indonesia. This will allow matters between Kalimantan and Sarawak to be managed well,” he said, expressing his gratitude to the federal government.
He said this at a press conference after officiating at the earth-breaking ceremony for a mosque and entrepreneurs centre (Anjung Usahawan) in Telok Melano yesterday. Prior to the ceremony, he visited the temporary border security post.
Work on the temporary border security post, comprising one block of three containers, started on March 17 and was completed on Aug 10. The cost was borne by the state government.
With regard to the location of the gateway on the border, he said that the decision would be left to the Ministry of Home Affairs, who would discuss this under the Malaysia-Indonesia Socio-Economic Cooperation (Sosek Malindo).
The permanent CIQ complex would be located on a seven-hectare piece of land, he added.
Earlier in his speech, he said that it was necessary to have a border security post.
“Development is very rapid in Telok Melano and there is a good relationship between the governments of West Kalimantan and Sarawak, therefore the business relationship will also increase,” he said.
He said, therefore, when Tanjung Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu had requested a border security post, he had supported it and discussed the matter of establishing a CIQ complex between West Kalimantan and Sarawak with the Home Affairs Minister at the time, who is current Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
