Tebedu Immigration complex to be upgraded or rebuilt

TEBEDU (Sarawak): The Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex at the border crossing here will be upgraded or rebuilt to improve its services and facilities.

A task force jointly chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has been set up to look into whether the existing facilities could be upgraded or whether a completely new complex needed to be built.

"We want to give a good image to visitors as well as to maximise the efficiency of the services provided by the 10 government departments at the ICQS here," Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters after visiting the complex with Abang Johari on Thursday (Dec 28).

He said a committee chaired by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed has also been set up to coordinate technical matters for the task force, including assessing the cost of upgrading or rebuilding the complex.

The technical committee has been given 14 days to meet and another 14 days to submit its report to the task force.

After that, the task force will bring up the matter to the National Economic Council and the Federal Cabinet for approval and allocation of funds.

An Indonesian seen walking through the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex in Tebedu, Sarawak, near the border with Indonesia's West Kalimantan province. -ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / THE STAR

"We have agreed that the state government will bear 50% of the cost and the Federal Government the other 50%.

"This is a smart partnership and a win-win situation which will speed up our intention to improve the ICQS complex," Dr Ahmad Zahid said.

He said the proposal to improve the 28-year-old complex was a result of the 12th annual consultation between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Indonesian president Jokowi Widodo in Kuching last month, when both leaders agreed to reopen cross-border trade at Tebedu once a border trade agreement and cross-border agreement have been signed.

"We are now taking steps to see how the ICQS at Tebedu should be improved to be at least on par with the ICQS at Entikong in Indonesia.

"This will help to foster cross-border trade and tourism between Indonesia and Malaysia," he said.

Abang Johari added that the Tebedu ICQS should be a modern complex with the latest infrastructure to facilitate cross-border movement and trade.

"We want to develop Tebedu into an economic area and to strengthen the security between Sarawak and West Kalimantan," he said.

Dr Ahmad Zahid and Abang Johari also visited the ICQS at Entikong, Indonesia, where they were led on a quick tour of the air-conditioned immigration facilities by Indonesian consul-general in Kuching, Drs Jahar Gultom.