Sarawak mulls to upgrade CIQ

MIRI: Sarawak is planning to upgrade infrastructures and facilities at Customs Immigration and Quarantine Complexes (CIQ) aimed at improving traffic flow for motorists entering the state from neighbouring countries.
Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the upgrading of CIQs in the state would be based on the Sungai Tujuh CIQ model here with plans to upgrade the Tebedu, Biawak, and Lubok Antu CIQs next.
"For the Sungai Tujuh CIQ, I have approved an additional sum of RM300,000 to improve weaknesses in the system," he told reporters after attending a briefing on the project to upgrade facilities and infrastructures at the Sungai Tujuh CIQ here today.
Abang Johari said, the fund would be used to build a two-lane road to enter Sungai Tujuh CIQ from Brunei and the LED signage for customs clearance.
Without divulging details when the upgrading works would start, he said once completed, traffic flow and efficiency at the Sungai Tujuh CIQ would be improved further.

Earlier this year, Abang Johari who was then the Deputy Chief Minister as well as Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, announced a financial allocation of RM750,000 to upgrade facilities and infrastructures at Sungai Tujuh CIQ after he visited the complex.
He was quoted as saying that the amount would be spent on LED signage installation and increasing the new lanes to speed up passport clearance.
On the implementation of Tourism Tax beginning July 1, Abang Johari said the state cabinet would have a meeting on June 22 to discuss further the issue.
"I will announce after our cabinet meeting on Thursday (June 22), I have met the Prime Minister and will brief the state cabinet ministers," he said.

The tourism tax would be charged on the type of accommodation with rates to be imposed between RM2.50 and RM20 per night. — Bernama