DUN SARAWAK: The development of CIQS in Melano Bay needs to be accelerated

Kuching, 16 Oct: The Sarawak Government has been urged to speed up the approval and construction of the Integrated Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security Complex (CIQS) in Melano Bay, Lundu to strengthen security controls at the Malaysia-Indonesia border.

Tanjong Datu Member of State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) Azizul Annuar Adenan said the facility is essential to enhance monitoring and enforcement capabilities in border areas with challenging terrain.

"Geographical locations surrounded by dense forests and long coastlines are prone to the existence of rat routes or illegal sea lanes.

"This opens the door to the risk of unauthorised alien invasion (PATI), smuggling of subsidized or prohibited goods, or threats of cross-border crime", he said.

He said this when discussing the Supply Bill (2027), 2026, at the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Conference today.

According to Azizul Annuar, the reactivation of Temjuk Border Crossing Post (PLB) and the Melano Bay Border Control Centre (BCC) opened a new leaf in cross-border connections between Sarawak and West Kalimantan, Indonesia.

However, he said the existing control infrastructure is still limited and not yet capable of fully processing international passports.

"The balance between economic progress and security stability is key.

"We want the Gulf of Melano to continue to grow as a prosperous gateway for tourism and trade, but sovereignty and national security at this frontal gate can never be compromised", he explained.

In this regard, Azizul Annuar also suggested that integrated patrols between the Malaysian Army (ATM), Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), General Movement Force (PGA) and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), together with Indonesian authorities, be enhanced in terms of frequency and operational efficiency. -TVS