Task force to study impact of Indonesia’s capital shift to Kalimantan

 

Indonesia is moving its capital from Jakarta on the island of Java to Kalimantan, bordering Sabah and Sarawak.

KOTA KINABALU: A joint task force has been set up to plan and monitor the developments in the borders of Sabah and Sarawak after Indonesia’s plan to move its capital city from Jakarta to Kalimantan.

Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Maximus Ongkili said the task force would study issues ranging from the impact of the capital shift to development plans in Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan.

He said the task force was a joint effort between his ministry and the Prime Minister’s Department (economics), chaired by Mustapa Mohamed.

Apart from infrastructure development, the body will also look into other aspects such as tourism, cultural exchanges, education and health-tourism.

Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Maximus Ongkili (left) in a discussion with economic affairs minister Mustapa Mohamed in Kuala Lumpur today. (Sabah and Sarawak affairs ministry pic)

“We will also look at issues related to border security and the setting up of customs, immigration, quarantine and security (CIQS) facilities at all possible entry points between the two countries,” he said in a statement today.

“We are in the midst of drafting working papers on the issue and will meet again in preparation for the special council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63) meeting.”

Ongkili said both the Sabah and Sarawak chief ministers will be involved in deciding the long-term border development strategies and programmes. - FMT