KOTA KINABALU: Sabah wants the Federal Government to reverse its decision to suspend the RM600mil customs, immigration, quarantine and security complex (CIQS) in Kalabakan, a district located on Sabah’s border with Kalimantan in Indonesia.

       Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the CIQS project that included staff quarters, was a priority project aimed at spurring economic activity in the east coast of Sabah.

       He said the recent announcement by Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof to suspend the project due to the lack of funding came as a surprise to the state.

       “I am shocked at the decision to suspend the CIQS project.

       “It failed to take into consideration the needs of the state,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       He said that the “lack of funding” excuse for the suspension was “unacceptable”.

       In a written reply in Parliament last week, Fadillah said the CIQS would be delayed as the Finance Ministry did not provide funds for it.

       Bung said the CIQS complex was needed as it was in line with the decision by Indonesia to move its capital to Kalimantan by 2024.

       He added that Sabah lags behind Peninsular Malaysia economically, despite the state providing a significant sum to the nation’s coffers.

       Bung said this important project in Sabah should not be “victimised” due to the lack funds as the even costlier MRT2 or Putrajaya Line is almost completed in the peninsula.

       “The Kalabakan project is as significant as the MRT project in terms of benefits to the people.

       “Sabah will be left behind (if the CIQS is not built),” he added.