SARAWAK’s new security committee set up ad hoc for the coronavirus pandemic will focus first on addressing the potential threat posed by broke and hungry foreign workers in the state.

The reason for this, said Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister James Masing, was that such people could resort to theft and robbery to survive.

“That’s a matter we need to consider,” Masing told The Malaysian Insight while explaining the role of the new committee that was formed yesterday.

Daily paid workers have lost their source of income since the imposition of the movement control order on March 18 which has now been extended until April 14.

The MCO was enforced to break the chain of the coronavirus infections. As of yesterday, 2,161 have tested positive for Covid-19, including 26 deaths.

Also discussed at the committee meeting yesterday were “ways and means” to seal the 900km-long Sarawak-Kalimantan border to prevent people from slipping into the state from similarly infected Indonesia.

Sealing the border and monitoring all the entry points, including the 43 known illegal entry routes, known locally as “jalan gajah” or “jalan tikus”,  with only 876 border control personnel is a tall order for the committee.

The border has three customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) posts – in Biawak, Lubok Antu and Entikong – which need to be manned as they remain open during the MCO period.

Masing made clear the importance of keeping the borders sealed to curb the transmission of the virus that has killed five people and infected 110 in Sarawak.

The police’s para-military unit, general operations force (PGA), army, and Immigration Department assured there would be tighter checks at the CIQs and that illegal routes will be plugged.

Three new border crossings in the Kapit Division in Long Singut, Long Busang and Tapak Megah will also be monitored. – March 28, 2020.