The upgrading of infrastructure at the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) complex at the Sabah and Sarawak borders involving an allocation of RM1 billion, will have a positive impact on the economy in the area.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the existence of the CIQS complex in the area is also able to curb illegal activities, including smuggling and other cross-border crimes.
“Vibrant economic interactions (at the border) will increase the country’s revenue.
“Because of our proximity to Kalimantan, this country, especially Sabah, has close ties with Indonesia,” he said in his speech when officiating the Sabah Geostrategic Summit (SGS) 2023 here today.
The text of his speech was read out by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also the State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister.
In January, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Finance Ministry had given preliminary approval for an additional allocation of RM1 billion for the commencement of work to upgrade the infrastructure and increase the capability of the CIQS Complex at the Sarawak and Sabah borders.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said the organisation of SGS 2023 was timely because the relocation of the Indonesian capital to Kalimantan required careful and immediate action at all levels.
He also urged collaboration and coordination between academics and policy makers to be improved to produce output at the end of the summit.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency