KOTA KINABALU: The sudden delay in the construction of a customs, immigration, quarantine and security (CIQS) complex in Kalabakan, a district bordering Kalimantan of Indonesia, has leaders in the state clamouring for it to continue.
The latest to weigh in is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's Sabah information chief Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan, who viewed the move as putting a halt to Sabah’s economic development.
He said that with Kalimantan being the location of Indonesia’s new capital city, Nusantara, there were bound to be increased social and economic activities at the border towns and routes between Indonesia and Malaysia.
"So if the Federal Government remains steadfast in its decision to put a hold on this project, it would seem like they are stopping Sabah from growing economically," he said in a statement on Wednesday (March 30).
Khairul Firdaus said like other CIQS complexes in the country including in Kedah and Johor, the facility can help spur economic development in the areas involved.
"The CIQS Kalabakan project must be continued and done according to the initial plan, for the benefit of the state and country," he added.
He slammed the recent announcement by Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof on the suspension of the project due to a lack of funding as being disappointing to all Sabahans.
Khairul Firdaus noted that the Kalimantan side had started developing and preparing for its new capital city by setting up all sorts of facilities and infrastructure.
"It will be such a waste for us if we are slow to take on the necessary actions to bank on this move," he said as he urged the Federal Government to reconsider its decision.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin have earlier made a similar call following Fadillah's announcement.
Hajiji said the CIQS complex could help prevent further illegal entries from immigrants while Bung Moktar said it was a priority project aimed at spurring economic activity on the east coast of Sabah.