BA’KELALAN: The Ba’kelalan Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex, which has been abandoned for two years, will be re-tendered to get the project completed, says Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

       He said the project, which was supposed to be completed in April 2019, also needed to be reviewed as there were several issues that had to be rectified, including weaknesses in the proposed building layout and slope safety issues.

       "This is a really sick project ... what is surprising is that there is no quarantine facility at the CIQ, there are also slope safety issues, etc.

       "I hope the re-tendering process for this project will be decided quickly and the project can be continued and completed." he told Bernama while inspecting the project site during his recent working visit to Ba’kelalan.

       The inspection was also attended by Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Henry Sum Agong.

       Awang Tengah said it was important for the project plan to be reviewed to ensure that all the important agencies related to the country's border services could be located there.

       "The original plan of the project only houses the Immigration office, the Customs Department, the Malaysian Volunteer Department (Rela) and the police, but there is no quarantine centre or (a station for) the Veterinary Services Department,which are very important.

       "I hope (these) will be taken into account... I want this project to facilitate travel (across) the Malaysia-Indonesia border,” he said.

       He added that the Ba'kelalan CIQ is important as it serves as the country's gateway, especially with Indonesia planning to shift its capital to Kalimantan.

       Originally conceived under the 10th Malaysia Plan and involving an allocation of more than RM14mil, the Ba’kelalan CIQ was to house an administrative block and double-storey quarters, and was scheduled for completion in May 2019.

       In April 2019, the project was classified as a sick project, as the work progress had been significantly delayed.

       Following this, the contractor was issued a termination notice in December last year. – Bernama