MIRI: Tourism, Arts and Culture assistant minister Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew has pledged RM200,000 to assist the installation of Vehicle Monitoring System (VMS) at all Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complexes statewide.

Officiating at the launching of the system at CIQ Sungai Tujoh, Ting said that the funding will come from his Rural Transformation Project (RTP) fund for next year, and explained that VMS would ensure a smoother procedure for all vehicles coming in and out of Sarawak and to create a positive impact for the tourism industry.

“As the first immigration border to enjoy the new system, I have witnessed the convenience it brings to motorists. As of today, tourists need only a little more than five seconds to clear it – just scan and go.

“Implementing it at all CIQs could attract more tourists to Sarawak, and we are also hoping that it could assist the Ministry’s aim of achieving five million tourists this year,” Ting said.

The system, which had undergone trial runs since June this year, was fully implemented on Aug 1 and has proven to have largely reduced traffic congestion at CIQ Sungai Tujoh.

There are seven CIQs in total throughout the state.

As of August this year, Sarawak has recorded nearly three million visitors here, despite the challenges such as the haze that had hit the state.

Ting added that efforts are being made to attract even more tourists from outside of Sarawak with various events.