MIRI: The inclusion of North Kalimantan (Kaltara) and East Kalimantan (Kaltim) in future SOSEK MALINDO conferences has been proposed to further strengthen cross-border cooperation between Sarawak and Indonesia.
Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel said expanding participation to both provinces would broaden the bilateral collaboration network under the SOSEK MALINDO platform.
Muhammad Abdullah, who is also the chairman of the Sarawak SOSEK MALINDO Working Committee, said the proposal reflects Sarawak’s commitment to enhancing social and economic ties with neighbouring regions across Borneo.
“I hope this session will focus on several outstanding issues, including the management of cross-border repatriation of remains, the operation of the Temajuk Border Post and the Telok Melano Border Control Post, as well as the construction of a lighthouse by the Indonesian authorities in an area under Sarawak’s administration.
“While exploring new areas of social and economic cooperation between Sarawak and West Kalimantan (Kalbar), it is equally important to recognise that border security remains a crucial factor in ensuring the successful implementation of socio-economic programmes on both sides.
“Strong cooperation between the security agencies of both countries will help facilitate legitimate economic activities and reduce national revenue losses caused by cross-border crimes.”
He said this when officiating and chairing the Technical Committee Meeting and the 38th SOSEK MALINDO Joint Working Committee Conference between Sarawak and West Kalimantan (Kalbar) here on Tuesday (Nov 4).
The two-day conference, attended by delegates from Malaysia and Indonesia, aims to strengthen coordination on socio-economic and security matters along the Sarawak–Kalbar border.
The Kalbar delegation was led by Linda Purnama, who heads the province’s SOSEK MALINDO Committee.
The conference continues tomorrow with follow-up discussions on agreed cooperation frameworks and future development priorities under the SOSEK MALINDO platform.
