Construction of facilities along Indonesian border behind schedule, says PM

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the relevant ministries have been told to expedite the construction of these facilities along the border. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim admitted that Malaysia is behind schedule in the construction and upgrading of facilities along the Borneo-Kalimantan border, including an immigration, customs, quarantine and security complex.

“I agree that we are behind schedule when compared to Indonesia that has progressed (with its border infrastructure),” Anwar said during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQ) at the Dewan Rakyat today.

“Their immigration, customs, quarantine and security (ICQS) complex, as well as their customs and immigration offices are much better compared with ours, since we are quite late.”

Anwar said the related ministries have been told to expedite the construction of these facilities.

He was responding to Jeffrey Kitingan (GRS-Keningau), who told the lower house the RM1 billion allocation has yet to be disbursed in full, leading to delays in construction and upgrading works.

Putrajaya had in January approved an additional RM1 billion to upgrade and build better infrastructure along the border.

Anwar said the next course of action is up to the related ministries and state governments.

“But I would like to stress that the RM1 billion (was allocated for) this year. (Therefore) the (related) ministry has been instructed to expedite (the works),” he said.

He also said he has requested deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof to help facilitate matters in Sabah and Sarawak, specifically on the development of the Pan Borneo Highway project and the RM1 billion allocation for border infrastructure. - FMT