KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir believes Malaysia, specifically Sabah and Sarawak, has the potential to benefit economically from Indonesia’s new capital city, Nusantara. The Foreign Minister stated in a parliamentary written reply that this move will enable economic cooperation in various sectors including renewable energy, construction, healthcare, eco-tourism, and property development. Zambry mentioned that the special allocation of RM1bil to enhance infrastructure along the Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan border, which was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on January 20, will impact bilateral trade ties and strengthen border security between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Additionally, Zambry emphasized that particular attention will be given to developing the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) facilities in Tebedu, Sarawak, and in Serubong, Sabah, to ensure that Malaysia’s development is on par with Nusantara. He also highlighted the Border Crossing Agreement and Border Trade Agreement signed on June 8, which are expected to improve socio-economic standards along the Malaysian-Indonesian border and promote bilateral trade. While Malaysia has ratified both agreements, Indonesia is yet to do so.
Regarding bilateral ties, Zambry mentioned that the Foreign Ministry will collaborate with other ministries to ensure successful development at the Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan border, boosting the participation of Malaysian companies, particularly those from Sabah and Sarawak. These plans were shared in response to a question posed by Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (BN-Putatan) regarding the impact of Indonesia’s new capital and the long-term plans to strengthen ties between the two countries. Indonesia is preparing to relocate its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara, which shares a border with Malaysia’s Borneo states.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
