KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- The government has approved three projects to construct and upgrade immigration complexes and posts along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border at a total cost of RM172 million, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN).
In a written reply published on the Parliament website, KDN stated that the projects include upgrading the Tebedu Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex in Serian, valued at RM100 million, which is expected to be completed in January 2029.
“The construction of the Serikin Immigration Post and Quarters in Bau (RM50 million) is scheduled for completion in December 2027, while the construction of the Telok Melano Post and Quarters in Sematan (RM22 million) is expected to be completed in December 2028,” the ministry said in response to a question from Datuk Ali Biju (PN-Saratok) regarding the RM1 billion allocation spent by the government to upgrade ICQS facilities in Sarawak.
KDN explained that five Sarawak border development projects were also approved under a special nationwide border development allocation totaling RM1 billion.
According to the ministry, these projects include upgrading and repair works for the Tedungan ICQS Complex in Limbang, valued at RM5.4 million and expected to be completed in October 2027, as well as the Pandaruan ICQS in Limbang (RM1.8 million), scheduled for completion in November 2026.
Meanwhile, KDN said completion dates for the construction of the Serudong-Simanggaris and Bantul-Lumbis ICQS complexes in Sabah have not yet been determined.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), the construction of the Bantul-Lumbis ICQS approved at a cost of RM38.1 million is currently in the procurement process, whereas the construction of the Serudong-Simanggaris ICQS remains contingent upon the decision regarding the development boundary point between Malaysia and Indonesia.
For the Bantul-Lumbis ICQS, the tender advertisement was issued on August 26, while the briefing and site visit took place on September 8.
The tender period runs from September 23 to October 21, with the Letter of Acceptance (SST) expected to be issued on December 23 and site possession scheduled for January 11, 2027.
The ministry said the completion date for the Bantul-Lumbis ICQS can only be determined after a contractor is appointed and the work execution period is stipulated in the contract documents.
Regarding the Serudong-Simanggaris ICQS, preliminary works for the project approved at a cost of RM5 million under the Fourth Rolling Plan (RP4) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) were completed in October 2024.
However, negotiations between the Malaysian and Indonesian governments concerning the determination of the development boundary point are ongoing and will dictate the project's direction and implementation details moving forward.
KDN also clarified that the figures of RM819 million for the Serudong-Simanggaris ICQS and RM367 million for the Bantul-Lumbis ICQS, which were announced previously, do not represent the actual expenditure incurred to date.
According to the ministry, the actual allocation and expenditure for each project component will take into account implementation progress and the procurement processes that have been carried out.
-- BERNAMA