KUCHING (Nov 14): No sign of changes has been seen in and around the Tebedu Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex since 2022, said Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang.
As such, Dr Sinang called for immediate release of the RM100 million which had been allocated to redevelop the ICQS complex to strengthen border security and uphold national sovereignty.
“In 2022, I was briefed by the relevant agencies that a sum of RM100 million ringgit was allocated to redevelop the said ICQS.
“As of today, we have not been seeing any sign of any changes happening around the ICQS,” he said during the debate on the Supply Bill (2025) at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.
He stressed the pressing need for a robust border infrastructure in Tebedu to protect Sarawak.
He also emphasised the importance of following through on the federal government’s commitment to bolster border facilities in East Malaysia, referring to the Prime Minister’s promise of RM1 billion to upgrade border security in Sabah and Sarawak, made on Jan 20, 2023.
“We have decided to give additional allocation for the ICQS to improve security and increase capability, as well as for other infrastructure such as roads as we do not want to be seen obsolete,” he quoted the Prime Minister as saying during a press conference after chairing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council meeting.
He expressed hope that these pledges would not be forgotten, urging the federal government not to ‘pura-pura lupa’ (pretend to forget) as the funds are desperately needed for these critical upgrades.
He also encouraged the state government to have further engagement and discussion on this matter with the federal government, noting the recent coordinated operation by Malaysian and Indonesian Customs authorities that resulted in the seizure of 112.3 kg of drugs at the Sarawak borders in July this year.
“These smugglers can outsmart or get the better of our obsolete drug or any illegal substances detecting capabilities and facilities,” he said.
