MIRI: The Sarawak Government-funded project to upgrade and expand arrival and departure lanes, including new immigration and customs counters, at the Sungai Tujuh CIQ Complex, has reached 88 per cent physical completion, marginally behind the scheduled progress of 91 per cent.
Sarawak Minister for Transport, who is Senadin state assemblyman, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, said the shortfall of about three per cent remained within an acceptable tolerance range and was expected to be rectified in the coming weeks.
The project, which commenced on March 10, 2025, is aimed at easing chronic congestion at the Sungai Tujuh border crossing, particularly during festive periods and peak travel hours.
It was originally slated for completion on Dec 9, 2025 but has since been granted three extensions of time, totalling 84 days.
Lee said the extensions were approved due to a combination of factors, including delays in site possession, coordination issues involving multiple agencies on site, amendments to the original design, and the inclusion of additional works outside the initial scope to meet current operational requirements of enforcement agencies stationed at the CIQ.
Following the approved extensions, the revised completion date has been set for March 3, 2026.
He added that discussions had been held with the Immigration Department of Malaysia and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to explore the possibility of a phased or soft opening of completed facilities, subject to final clearance by the respective agencies.
As part of this process, testing and handover works are scheduled for Thursday (Feb 12), involving eight individual customs counters, two shared immigration and customs counters, and one immigration counter designated for the lorry lane.
During the initial phase of operations, Customs will operate five individual counters and two shared counters, while Immigration will operate one counter for the lorry lane.
The remaining facilities, comprising three immigration counters and four customs counters, are expected to be handed over by the end of February.
Lee said the Sarawak Government remains fully committed to delivering the project within the revised timeline, stressing that the upgraded CIQ facilities would significantly enhance operational efficiency and improve traffic flow at one of northern Sarawak’s busiest border crossings.
