SARAWAK is asking the federal government to take its plan on siting posts along the state’s 1,000km border with Kalimantan back to the drawing board.

Premier Abang Johari Openg said the border posts – some waiting to be built while others are slated for major upgrades – must be built closer to the border so as not to create no man’s land.

He pointed to the Tebedu-Entikong immigration, customs, quarantine and security (ICQS) complex as a prime example.

The dilapidated complex is slated to be torn down and a new one built to match Indonesia’s spanking modern complex on the opposite side of the border.

Abang Johari said the Tebedu ICQS is “relatively far” from the border and the area between the complex and the border has become no man’s land.

Speaking to reporters after making Hari Raya contributions at Wisma Bapa in Kuching today, he also said the present border post at Biawak-Aruk in Lundu in southern Sarawak and the new ones proposed at Long Singut and Tapak Megah in Ulu Balen, Kapit should be relocated closer to the border.

“We need to rediscuss this matter,” he said.

Abang Johari said Sarawak could assist in providing the land.

In the case of Tapak Megah, the premier said the state had identified an area where the post should be built. – April 14, 2023.