Traffic congestion should be a priority in upgrading the Tujoh River ICQS

MIRI, Oct 8: Resolving traffic congestion should be a priority in the proposal to upgrade the Sijoh River Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex.

Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said that aspects of traffic flow, traffic management as well as faster immigration and customs clearance processes should be emphasized to ensure smoother vehicle movement and reduced waiting times.

"We need to prioritize the solution of a longstanding traffic congestion problem. We need to set the right priorities", he said in a statement, today.

According to him, the project should focus on improving traffic flow and overall discharge process, not just adding new buildings and facilities.

He said the increasing movement of heavy vehicles including container trucks and trailers on the Tujoh River should also be taken into account in traffic flow design to reduce congestion and improve consumer safety.

"We want this upgraded work to bring practical improvements to border users, including faster discharge processes, smoother traffic flows and shorter queues, especially on weekends, school holidays and holiday seasons", he said.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Government previously approved RM4 million in March 2024 to implement short-term improvement work on Sungai Tujoh, including the addition of vehicular lanes and traffic isolation system.

He explained that the new hallway isolation system will be operational by May 2026.

In this regard, the latest upgrades should be developed on the basis of previous improvements, in addition to addressing the challenges of traffic flow and operations at the complex.

According to the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR), the scope of upgraded work includes existing office buildings and ICQS operations, including roads, safety fences, closed-circuit camera (CCTV) systems as well as mechanical and electrical facilities.

The rest of the scope includes construction of a multi-purpose hall, guardhouse and new access road.

He explained that the Tujoh River is an important gateway for tourism and commercial transportation between Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam.

"Therefore, efficiency of the discharge process and congestion reduction should remain a key objective in the implementation of these upgrades", he said. - TVS