KUCHING: Riau Islands governor Ansar Ahmad has proposed to the Sarawak government the construction of a Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Security (CIQS) facility along the Sematan-Serasan border.
He shared this during a meeting with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan on Tuesday (Nov 7).
Ansar highlighted the Riau Islands’ proximity to several Asean countries, including Malaysia and Sarawak, where the Natuna Regency is located.
He mentioned that the Indonesian government had already completed a Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, Port Authority (CIQP) facility in Serasan, worth around RM50mil, with the necessary infrastructure.
“The CIQP facility in Serasan was built due to the presence of nearly 10,000 residents who have been engaging in economic activities near the Sarawak border.
“However, the area has not yet been officially administered or legalised. Therefore, we met with the Deputy Premier earlier and expressed our hope that the Malaysian government, in this case, Sarawak, could build its border post in Sematan.
“This would enable both regions to have CIQP and CIQS facilities to facilitate the legal flow of goods between Serasan and Sematan,” he told the media when met at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia here.
He believes this initiative would benefit farmers and fishermen by allowing them to bring abundant produce to Sematan.
In addition to trade, he mentioned plans to boost tourism along the border, utilising the attractiveness and beauty of Serasan’s islands.
“This matter was well received by the Deputy Premier, and will be discussed more intensively,” Ansar added.
