KUCHING: The Tebedu-Entikong border crossing is set to serve as a trading point between Malaysia and Indonesia following an agreement with President Prabowo Subianto.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the matter was agreed upon during a recent bilateral meeting, which he attended with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the Indonesian authorities had initially resisted the proposal but later agreed to open the crossing specifically for business activities.

“At the meeting, I took the opportunity to raise the Tebedu-Entikong link, and President Prabowo agreed to open it for business.

“It means Tebedu-Entikong will become a trading point between Malaysia and Indonesia. 

“Local communities can take this opportunity and pursue joint collaboration with our neighbour. 

“After all, we are already supplying power to Western Kalimantan,” he said when officiating at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Community Hostel and DBNA’s 70th anniversary celebration at DBNA Headquarters last night.

Additionally, Abang Johari said that Indonesia had requested Sarawak to extend its electricity supply from Lubok Antu to Nanga Badau in West Kalimantan.

He asserted that there were many opportunities that could be tapped to build an integrated economy within the ASEAN framework.

“This means we have to increase our power supply to Indonesia, and this will serve as the foundation for further cooperation.

“Our future economy will be modern and far-sighted, and once this structure is in place, the younger generation will play the major role,” he added.