MIRI: Miri MP Chiew Choon Man has called on Putrajaya to fast-track approval for a RM31 million allocation under the 2026 federal budget to upgrade the Sungai Tujoh Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex at the Sarawak–Brunei border.
Chiew said he had presented the request to Second Finance Minister and acting Economy Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, backing the Home Ministry’s application for development expenditure funding.
He stressed that the upgrade is no longer a matter of convenience but of economic necessity.
“For years, bottlenecks at Sungai Tujoh have forced visitors to endure waits of three to four hours, especially on weekends, public holidays and school breaks,” Chiew said.
“This is more than just an inconvenience. It hurts visitor experience, imposes hidden costs on the economy and discourages inflows of Bruneian tourists into Malaysia.”
The Sungai Tujoh gateway is among Malaysia’s busiest border crossings, thanks to its strategic position and the purchasing power of Bruneian visitors who flock to Miri for shopping, healthcare, hospitality and automotive services.
“This cross-border flow of spending is vital for Miri’s economy. It strengthens sectors from retail to health services and generates invisible exports that boost demand for the ringgit,” Chiew added.
He argued that modernising the ICQS facilities would slash processing times, ease congestion and attract even more Bruneians to choose Miri as their go-to hub for leisure, shopping and services.
“I urge the Finance and Economy Ministries to prioritise this project in Budget 2026, given its immediate impact on Miri’s growth and its broader contribution to the national economy,” he said.
Chiew also expressed appreciation for the cooperation of federal agencies and the Sarawak government, pledging to keep a close watch on the project’s progress in Parliament.
“This is about more than infrastructure. It is about safeguarding Miri’s competitiveness, facilitating cross-border mobility and strengthening Malaysia’s standing as a regional destination for both visitors and investors,” he said.
