Published on: Friday, April 08, 2005 |
LIMBANG: Malaysians from the peninsula and Sabah only need to use their MyKad to enter Sarawak by early next year, Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said.
He said the trial period for the use of the identity card would begin in June. "We've designed the equipment and software for it but there will be some administration procedures that need to be streamlined first," he told reporters after the opening of the new Limbang Airport with Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, Thursday.
The new Limbang Airport, situated seven kilometres from Limbang town, was previously a Short Take-Off and Landing Port (STOLport) which had now been upgraded to an airport.
The RM150 million airport, which has the capacity to handle up to 250,000 passengers annually, can now accommodate Fokker 50 aircraft compared to the old airstrip which could only handle Twin Otters.
Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Azmi Khalid was quoted on Tuesday as saying that the Cabinet had agreed in principle on the proposed use of MyKad to gain entry to Sabah and Sarawak and that it needed the approval from the two State governments.
Earlier in his speech, Abdul Taib said the Government had agreed on the proposal that Malaysians from the peninsula and Sabah needed only to produce their identity card to enter Sarawak.
"This would certainly forge closer relations and cooperation between the people in the state and the people of Sabah and peninsular Malaysia," he said.
The Chief Minister, who touched on the development of the Limbang division which comprised two districts namely Limbang and Lawas, said the division was undergoing progress.
He said the State government was seeking Federal government approval to build an airport in the division for the convenience of the people in the region, including those in southern Sabah encompassing Beufort and Sipitang.
On the new Limbang Airport, Abdul Taib said it would contribute to the development process in the division so that it could progress further.
Meanwhile in his speech, Chan said a modern and comprehensive communication infrastructure was crucial to generate economic growth in the country.
He said the government would continue to give priority to the implementation of several airport projects in Sarawak under the Ninth Malaysia Plan as air transport was an important mode of transportation.
He said the Limbang Airport, which was completed and fully operational in July last year, had recorded an increase in air traffic by 15.2 per cent to 96,209 passengers compared with 83,459 passengers in the previous year.
"Based on this positive development, consideration should be given to increase the frequency of direct flights particularly from Kuching and Sibu. I am certain this would become a catalyst for downstream insudtries and create job opportunities to the local residents," he said.
The Limbang Airport, which has a terminal building, check-in counters, cafeteria, viewing area, a surau and capable of accommodating 100 passengers at any one time, is the fourth new airport in Sarawak after Bintulu, Miri and Mulu.
Meanwhile, Sabah Chief Minister's Press Secretary Hanafiah Diman said the procedures and provisions under the Immigration Act 1959/1963 are still applicable for the entry and exit of Malaysians from the peninsula and Sarawak into Sabah.
He was clarifying reports quoting Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman as saying that Malaysians from the peninsula and Sarawak will soon be allowed to enter Sabah without a passport or filling the "IMM14" form.
Hanafiah said: "What was meant by the Chief Minister was that the State Cabinet continues with the procedures, provisions or orders under the existing Immigration Act and plans to provide a software for MyKad.
"Hence, it will make it easy for Malaysians from the peninsula to enter Sabah without filling the IMM14 form."
