KUCHING: The Sarawak Government is ready to work with the Federal Government to channel allocations to upgrade the region's border areas.

The Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said that the federal government has announced a fund of RM1 billion to develop the entire border area between Malaysia and Indonesia involving the two states of Sabah and Sarawak.

However, he explained, the funds announced is seen as insufficient especially when they are used to improve the entire border area.

In line with that, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari agreed to cooperate by covering part of the expenses while the other half will be financed by the Federal Government.

"On the Malaysian demarcation side, we from the Sarawak Government can still agree to have a 'one-to-one' collaboration with the Federal Government where we can release half of the funds to speed up development at our border," he explained.

He said this when met by the media after attending the Book Launch of Sarawak's First Governor Tun Openg at Hikmah Exchange here on Sunday.

Commenting on the announcement of the RM1 billion fund, the Premier of Sarawak assured that he would use the funds for development on the border of Tebedu and Entikong first.

Previously, the Deputy Prime Minister, Dato Sri Fadillah Yusuf had announced the funds to upgrade facilities in border areas including the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) Complex in Tebedu, Ba'kalalan, Biawak and Tapak Megah in Kapit.

In the meantime, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari also informed that the Sarawak government can develop an industrial area in the Tebedu area through allocations funded by the Sarawak government.

"We also have an industrial area next to Tebedu where we can develop that area by investing in that area," he explained.

Commenting on the launch of the book, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari described the late Tun Datuk Abang Openg as not just a father to him but rather saw the individual as a mentor who shaped his character today who emphasized the value of integrity in government.

Also present were the Deputy Premiers of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Ministers, Sarawak Attorney General Datu Saferi Ali, Sarawak State Deputy Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datu Dr Abdullah Zaidel and other distinguished guests. - UKASnews