Sungai Tujoh ICQS upgrading 88 pct complete, full completion fet for this March

MIRI (Feb 11): The upgrading and expansion of the arrival and departure lanes at the Sungai Tujoh Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex has reached 88 per cent physical completion, slightly behind the scheduled progress of 91 per cent.

Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the project, which commenced on March 10 last year, was initially scheduled for completion on Dec 9 the same year.

However, it has been granted three extensions of time (EOT) totalling 84 days.

“He explained that the delays were due to site possession issues, coordination with on-site agencies, amendments to the original plans, and additional works beyond the initial project scope to meet the operational requirements of enforcement agencies.

“Following the EOT approval, the new completion date has been set for March 3 this year,” he said in a statement following a meeting with the Miri Public Works Department (PWD) on Monday.

Lee added that discussions had also been held with the Immigration Department and the Customs Department to explore the possibility of a phased or ‘soft’ opening of completed facilities, subject to final approval by the agencies.

“This Thursday (Feb 12), testing and handover processes will be carried out involving eight individual Customs counters, two shared Immigration and Customs counters, and one Immigration counter for the lorry lane.

“During the initial phase of operations, Customs will operate five individual counters and two shared counters, while Immigration will operate one counter for the lorry lane,” he said.

The remaining three Immigration counters and four Customs counters are expected to be handed over to the respective agencies by the end of Feb 2026.

Lee stressed that the Sarawak government remains committed to completing the project in accordance with the revised schedule to improve operational efficiency and traffic flow at the Sungai Tujoh border.

The upgrading project, initially targeted to be fully operational one week before the Chinese New Year on Feb 16, includes the construction of four additional traffic lanes, more Immigration and Customs counters, as well as public toilet facilities.

The improvements aim to ease chronic congestion at the busy border crossing, particularly during weekends and festive periods.