Thursday August 18, 2011
KUCHING: Relations between Sarawak and West Kalimantan, Indonesia, have been described as good despite the occurrence of illegal cross-border activities.
Sarawak Immigration Department director Datuk Robert Lian said these activities would instead foster closer cooperation between authorities from both sides to work together against crimes such as smuggling.
“This (smuggling) is the work of individuals. If there are smugglers in Malaysia, there are also smugglers in Indonesia. This (smuggling) should not create any tension between both countries because the battle is against these smugglers,” he told reporters when met at the Indonesian Consulate Office here after attending the 66th Indonesian Independence Day celebration yesterday.
Robert went on to say that both sides continued to strenghten border ties because of the common aim of wanting to maintain national security.
National loyalty: Suprapto witnessing the raising of the Sang Merah Putih at the Indonesian Consulate in Kuching in conjunction with Indonesia’s Independence Day yesterday.
Even now, he said, both sides were seeking cooperation through the bilateral Sosek-Malindo and BIMP-EAGA, an economic cooperation initiative between Southeast Asian nations to foster good ties.
Indonesian Consul-General to Sarawak, Joko Suprapto, said Indonesia had often looked forward to good relation and cooperation between the authorities of both sides.
“We are neighbours and we need to work hand in hand if we are to combat these (ill activities). We will therefore continue to do our part to strenghten relations.”
There are nine gazetted entry points — Sematan, Biawak, Serikin, Bunan Gega, Padawan, Tebedu, Batu Lintang, Lubok Antu and Bario — along the border of Sarawak with West Kalimantan. Four other gazetted entry points are shared with Brunei.
Yesterday’s celebration saw the raising of the Indonesian flag Sang Merah Puteh, the reading of the proclamation text and also Act 1945.
A breaking of fast and the celebration of Nuzul Al-Quran were scheduled for the evening.
