Plans to upgrade border control facilities to be finalised by year-end, including Biawak ICQS

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By Christine T

KUCHING, Oct 15: The feasibility study for the development and upgrading of border control facilities along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border is expected to be completed by the end of this year, with a letter of acceptance for preliminary works scheduled to be issued in the fourth quarter.

Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah explained that the entire project, with an allocation of RM3 million, is under a master plan to develop and upgrade border control posts in five locations. This includes Telok Melano and Ba’kelalan border control posts, as well as the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes in Tebedu, Biawak and Lubok Antu.

He was responding to a question from Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang during the State Legislative Assembly sitting today on when the proposed Biawak ICQS upgrade would begin.

He noted that the proposed upgrading of the Biawak ICQS Complex is included in the Sarawak government’s ongoing feasibility study for the Sarawak border area development master plan, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

He added that the master plan aimed to transform Sarawak’s border areas into strategic gateways for trade, investment and connectivity, while strengthening security and the state’s role as a logistics hub and economic partner in Borneo and the wider ASEAN region.

He said the study also took into account Indonesia’s relocation of its capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan, alongside proposals to improve socioeconomic conditions in border communities.

Upon completion, the study’s findings would be reviewed to identify suitable projects for phased implementation based on priorities, needs and implementation readiness, subject to funding allocations and the relevant approvals. —DayakDaily

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