Dato Henry Sum Agong
KUCHING: Cross-border smuggling activities between Ba Kelalan and Long Bawan in Indonesia can be minimised once the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Ba Kelalan is completed in two years’ time, says Lawas MP Dato Henry Sum Agong.
He said the tender has been approved and works on the project will start very soon.
“Work on the CIQ at Ba Kelalan is to start soon, and is expected to be completed in two years’ time. With the CIQ in place, the movement of people and trading activities from both sides of the border can be monitored,” Henry said when contacted yesterday.
He acknowledged that without the CIQ, it’s almost impossible to curb smuggling activities along the border.
The porous border at Ba Kelalan has been a contagious issue, and according to locals, vehicle and drug-smuggling are rampant.
On the poor road condition from Long Lupeng to Ba Kelalan, Henry welcomed the announcement made by Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing that a timber company operating in Ulu Trusan and Limbang areas had proposed to him to upgrade the 80km road to a standard R1 road.
Masing reportedly said on Monday that the proposal to upgrade Long Lupeng-Ba Kelalan road would cost RM36 million.
“I am in favour of it (upgrading) and the state government will try to find the money to finance the upgrading of this road,” Masing was quoted as saying.
Henry, who is also Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, added that there are more than 20 Lun Bawang settlements between Long Lupeng and Ba Kelalan. There are also schools, clinics and other government agencies operating in the area.
R1-standard road is a gravel road but drivable and safe, making the journey between Long Lupeng and Ba Kelalan shorter from the present eight to 12 hours to about three hours.
The distance from Lawas to Ba Kelalan is about 150km. Presently, the first stretch between Lawas and Long Lupeng, which is about 70km, is also a R1-standard road.
The bad stretch from Long Lupeng to Ba Kelalan is about 80km. It has been termed a ‘ Buffalo Trail’ due to its very bad condition. The road needs urgent attention in view of the 3,000 people living between Long Lupeng to Ba Kelalan.
According to locals, the road was in better condition after it was upgraded under the ‘Jiwa Murni’ programme three years ago.
However, due to the frequent use by logging trucks, the road is now badly damaged.