MIRI – Putrajaya and Sarawak, together with the Brunei government, should explore the possibility of introducing a passport-free travel system that would allow better movements across the two countries’ borders in Sarawak.
Miri MP Chiew Choon Man made this suggestion in response to the announcement of the proposed implementation of this system between Malaysia and Singapore following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with his Singapore counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong.
“I urge both federal and state governments to work together to reach a similar initiative at the border between Sarawak and Brunei,” he said.
Malaysia and Singapore, on Thursday, announced their agreement to develop a passport-free travel system to allow better movement across the two countries’ border at the south of Johor.
Earlier, the country’s Economy Ministry and Singapore’s Trade and Industry Ministry announced that both governments had signed a memorandum of understanding for a Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
Under the agreement, both countries had agreed to explore several initiatives, including the adoption and implementation of a passport-free, QR code-based clearance system on both sides, to facilitate more expeditious clearance of people at land checkpoints.
Chiew said the same move should also be extended to Sarawak, especially at the customs, immigration and quarantine centres of Miri, Limbang and Lawas, to ease long queues, particularly during festive seasons and long holidays.
“And subsequently, we can also try to set up a special economic zone between Brunei and Sarawak, which can bring benefits to both countries,” he added.
According to Chiew, nearly one million travellers passed through Miri’s entry-and-exit points at the Sg Tujuh border checkpoint last year. – January 13, 2024