MIRI: The Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Centre (CIQ) at Sungai Tujoh will be upgraded in view of the high volume of people from both Miri and Brunei passing the checkpoint.

According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, a total of RM750,000 has been allocated for the planned works to ease traffic flow at this northern gateway to the state.

“We are going to spend about RM750,000 or more for upgrading works on the CIQ, involving the installation of the LED signage, addition of two new lanes and the demolition of the old complex.

“More important is the time taken to clear the passports. As such, all 18 counters would be opened during peak hours. The LED signage, upon its installation, will help guide visitors to the right counters,” he told reporters during a visit to Sungai Tujoh CIQ yesterday.

Abang Johari, who is also the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, said the move to add two new lanes was because the existing two lanes could not fully accommodate the high number of vehicles passing the checkpoint.

Moreover, he said manpower at the CIQ would be increased from eight to 19 permanent staff members – effective this Jan 17.

The minister also observed yesterday that it took an average time of five seconds to process a Malaysian passport while for a foreign passport, it took 15 seconds. “This means that in one minute, the counter can clear around four vehicles from Brunei.”

Abang Johari expected upgrading works on Sungai Tujoh CIQ – including landscaping and its maintenance – to reach completion by the end of this March.

“I will distribute the allocation as soon as possible so that upgrading works on all the facilities here (CIQ) would be completed by the end of this March,” he said.

The minister also called for cooperation from Miri City Council (MCC) to beautify and maintain the landscape at the entry points along the border to grab visitors’ attention.

Abang Johari was accompanied by Assistant Minister for Tourism Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting, Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis, Miri mayor Adam Yii and permanent secretary to the ministry Datu Ik Pahon Joyik during the visit.