A SABAH Coordinating Working Group has been formed under the Border Economy Task Force to study matters related to the impact of Indonesia’s decision to shift its capital city.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the working group is tasked to coordinate all development programmes pertaining to border economy, specifically Sabah and Kalimantan trade and regional economic changes following relocation of Indonesia’s capital city to Kalimantan.
“The National Task Force was formed last month under the leadership of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
“Among the goals are to re-chart border trade with Kalimantan and Brunei, besides capitalising on economic progress and prosperity that can be reaped, especially for border communities,” he said after chairing a meeting with the Sabah Economic Development Investment Authority (Sedia) in Kota Kinabalu on May 26.
Ongkili said the working group will also coordinate development activities with state planning authorities and private sector, especially trade and business organisations.
During the meeting, they also highlighted the need for basic infrastructure at strategic locations along the Kalimantan border, such as the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS), communications and road connectivity.
He said Sedia will be the coordination centre, while key partners and players include Sabah Economic Planning Unit, Institute of Development Studies, Works Department, Universiti Malaysia Sabah and other federal agencies.
