KUALA LUMPUR: Lubok Antu Member of Parliament (MP), Roy Angau Gingkoi, has urged the government to strategically develop the district, including the construction of an inland port, to harness cross-border economic potential with Kalimantan, Indonesia.
According to a TVS news report, he said that while the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) has allocated funds to upgrade border roads and the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex, border security must not be overlooked.
“Lubok Antu spans 3,145 square kilometres with a 121-kilometre border shared with Kalimantan, yet is only guarded by 115 police personnel.
“This number is far too small for such a vast area,” he said in his debate during the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Wednesday.
Highlighting Lubok Antu’s proximity – just a 10-minute drive from the Badau ICQS in Kalimantan and near major towns such as Putussibau, Roy said the location offers a significant advantage for expanding economic activities and bilateral trade.
He proposed a feasibility study for an inland port to serve as a hub for goods collection, inspection and distribution, which he said could reduce congestion at the ICQS, expedite logistics, and create new job opportunities for locals.
Roy also questioned whether security along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border would be strengthened through additional police personnel or by enhancing the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKSEM).
“I also hope that the allocated funds will be used to upgrade border security posts and related infrastructure,” he said.
He stressed that with its strategic position and potential to become a key trade hub, Lubok Antu’s development should be pursued aggressively to ensure Malaysians enjoy progress on par with Kalimantan residents, especially ahead of Indonesia’s planned capital relocation to Nusantara.
