KOTA KINABALU – Malaysia has established a joint task force to plan and monitor Sabah and Sarawak border developments, in line with Indonesia’s plan to relocate its capital city to Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said besides infrastructure development, it will also review aspects such as tourism, cultural exchange, education, and health tourism.
He said the task force is a joint effort between his department and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed’s, and will be chaired by the latter.
“We will look at issues related to border security and the setting up of Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security Complexes at all entry points between the two countries,” he said in a statement tonight.
Ongkili said the establishment of the task force came about after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and lawmakers raised their concerns on Indonesia’s proposed plan to move its capital city from Jakarta to Kalimantan.
He said the task force is preparing working papers to address the issue, and will meet again during the middle of next month in preparation for the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 meeting.
“Both Sabah and Sarawak’s chief ministers will be involved in drafting long-term border development strategies,” he added. – Bernama, November 25, 2021
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