Sarawak needs more border posts to improve security, says Abang Jo

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg speaking at the handover of Raya goodies to security and enforcement agencies on Friday (Apr 14). - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

KUCHING: Sarawak wants more border posts to be built and the existing ones upgraded to improve security, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Premier said the state government would work with Putrajaya on this as border security and defence were federal matters.

"Indonesia has about 70 border posts but we only have seven. We are ready for more border posts to be set up but this is under the Federal Government's purview.

"We don't have the power to build border posts but we will work with the federal government and provide the sites," he told reporters after handing over Raya goodies to security and enforcement agencies here on Friday (Apr 14).

In line with this, Abang Johari thanked the federal government for allocating RM1bil to improve security and facilities along the border in Sabah and Sarawak.

The allocation was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in January.

Abang Johari said areas where new border posts were needed included Long Singut in Kapit and Ba'Kelalan in the northern highlands.

He also said existing Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities should be upgraded or relocated closer to the border for better security.

For example, he said the Tebedu CIQ was currently located a little far from the border, with a no man's land in between.

"We have proposed moving it to a site closer to the border. We also need to upgrade the facilities at Tebedu as Indonesia has upgraded their facilities at Entikong (across from Tebedu).

"Similarly in Biawak, Aruk (on the Indonesian side) has been developed but ours has not," he said.