MIRI: The Immigration Department should seriously consider doubling the manpower at the Sarawak-Brunei gateway at Sungai Tujuh to ease congestion at the checkpoint which might badly affect the tourism industry.
Miri MP Dr Michael Teo said the need is more urgent now in view of the ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2014’ and ‘Visit Sarawak Year 2014’ campaigns.
“This problem should have been solved long before the campaign was launched by increasing more manpower or deploying more staff at the gateway to the border, particularly during festive seasons and weekends.
“This is necessary as the number of visitors usually double or even triple at this time than on ordinary days and as such, the department concerned should be fully aware of it,” he added.
Dr Teo, who is also Miri PKR chairman, was approached by The Borneo Post yesterday for his comments on the long queue at Sungai Tujuh immigration checkpoint on Jan 1.
Visitors complained they had to wait for almost three hours at the checkpoint because only four out of 20 counters there were operating at that time.
The long queue of up to one kilometre long really frustrated and angered the people. Some who could not wait any longer turned back to Brunei while there were others who missed their flights in Miri.
Dr Teo regretted the incident, and reiterated his call to the authorities concerned to solve the problem as soon as possible before the situation got worse.
He noted the need to double the number of staff there to handle the large number of visitors who not only come from Brunei but from Limbang, Lawas and even Sabah.
“We are losing so much in terms of economy and inflow of currency, yet there is no action taken,” he argued.
As such, Dr Teo suggested that the Immigration Department and the Brunei government discuss the matter together to overcome the situation.
He expressed concern that any delay in action might cause great loss to the local economy and tourism sector.