Critical Sungai Tujuh ICQS upgrades needed

MIRI: Urgent improvements are needed at the Sungai Tujuh Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security Complex (ICQS) in Kuala Baram here to address severe traffic congestion.

State Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the need for both immediate and long-term strategies to mitigate the issue at the vital national entry point.

“For a temporary solution, we may consider using temporary office containers or widening the lanes by allocating a separate lane for local and foreign vehicles.

“However, for a long-term solution, the counter design needs modification, but such proposals require approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN),” Lee said during a press conference following a meeting with officials from the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) Miri Division recently.

Additionally, Lee, who also the Senadin assemblyman, called on JIM to augment staff numbers and counter services during peak travel periods like holidays and weekends.

“For example, during peak seasons such as the upcoming Chinese New Year and Ramadan in April, we request additional staff to support ICQS Sungai Tujuh,” he added.

Last year, the complex saw an influx of 980,737 visitors and facilitated the exit of 966,020 visitors.

Also present at the meeting were the JIM Sarawak director Abang Abdul Halim Abang Naili and JIM Miri Division Chief Abang Mat Noor Abang Abdul Samat.