YANG di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Abdul Taib Mahmud today called on Putrajaya to work with Sarawak to strengthen the border security in the state.

His call comes on the heels of the cancellation of a proposed RM300 million immigration, customs, quarantine and security complex in Tebedu and illegal immigrants slipping into the state through land borders.

Taib, in his opening address to the current sitting of the state assembly, said the safety of state residents and secure borders are important for the sovereignty of the country.

He urged the federal government “to intensify our cross-border monitoring and enforcement mechanisms”.

This will ensure Sarawak’s safety and border security are not threatened as it marches on to become a developed state by 2030, he added.

Najib Razak’s Barisan Nasional government agreed to replace the old immigration post, with costs to be equally shared between the federal government and state government.

However, the Pakatan Harapan government scrapped the proposal in 2018.

The current Perikatan Nasional administration has yet to decide on Sarawak’s request to resume the project.

Indonesia has a modern immigration, customs, quarantine and security complex on its side of the border at Entikong – a far cry from the dilapidated one in Sarawak.

Illegal immigrants have also easily entered the state via the Sarawak–Kalimantan border. This is clearly demonstrated at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when Sarawak tried to shut its land borders to prevent foreigners from bringing in the virus.

Alhough border security is under federal government purview, Sarawak had to fork out hundreds of thousands of ringgit to purchase assets to equip its border security squads so they can better chase down illegals on rat trails.

Meanwhile, Taib said the hydrogen economy will contribute to the well-being of the state economy as it cuts back on its dependence on traditional fossil fuels.

He said he is pleased with Premier Abang Johari Abang Openg for having introduced the hydrogen fuel initiative. – May 17, 2022.