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New Straits Times
01-08-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Cross-border trade to thrive after high-level consultation
IT took bilateral summitry at the highest level to revive cross-border free-trade arrangement at the Tebedu-Entikong border crossing between Sarawak and West Kalimantan in Indonesia. This deal was one of the highlights of the 13th Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultation meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta this week. Also present were Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor. Sarawak had long sought to revive the free flow of goods since Indonesia unilaterally stopped it in 2016. Sarawak set up an inland port early in 2010 because it seemed to make good economic sense to transport goods from Kuching Port to West Kalimantan via the Tebedu inland port rather than all the way from Java. At its height in 2013, some RM700 million in goods were reported to be traded this way. Numerous Sarawak missions to Indonesia seeking to reinstate the free-trade arrangement since then had been fruitless. It, of course, hardly needs stressing that free trade benefits all who engage in it. It also makes geographic sense for transshipment of goods to and from West Kalimantan via Tebedu and Kuching. Naturally, it also needs to be acknowledged that West Kalimantan has similar aspirations to become a trade transshipment hub with the commissioning of a new deep sea port near Pontianak, the provincial capital. The new port will also be well-served by land adjoining it, which has been earmarked for the development of industries. It so happened that a trade delegation from Sarawak led by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan was in West Kalimantan and East Kalimantan, also this week. The main mission was, of course, to deepen the economic relationship not just with West Kalimantan bordering Sarawak but in East Kalimantan where the new Indonesian capital of Nusantara is being developed. Sarawak has already identified several joint-ventures in developing dams in Kalimantan and even major real estate developer Ibraco Bhd was scouting about for possible projects in Balikpapan, the major city adjoining Nusantara. Awang Tengah was reportedly also reviewing localities for setting up a Sarawak trade and tourism office in Pontianak. This comes on the heels of the revival of air connectivity between Kuching and Pontianak next month. There has been much clamour both in Sarawak and West Kalimantan for flights between the two cities to resume after they were stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic. People-to-people exchanges have come back strongly since as witnessed by the daily long queues at the Tebedu-Entikong main border crossing as well as other secondary border posts. All these positive developments must be sustained through regular high-level official exchanges, especially in showing to the Indonesian side that free trade and the free flow of people across our common border is not a zero-sum proposition benefiting only one side. What happened in Jakarta this week also shows that Sarawak and Sabah can and do benefit substantially from close state-federal ties and working in tandem to take the fullest advantage from similarly close Malaysia-Indonesia bilateral ties.
The Star
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Private sector investment vital for Sibu's growth'
Ibraco chief marketing officer George Ting (left) briefing Tiang on some of the company's projects in Sibu. Private sector investment is vital for Sarawak to attain developed status by 2030, says state Public Health, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Michael Tiang. 'Sarawak is aiming to become a developed state by 2030. 'This is our goal and we are very determined to achieve it. 'Of course, Sibu is part of this journey,' he said at the opening of the Ibraco sales gallery by Sarawak property developer Ibraco Bhd in Sibu. Stating that Sibu's growth benefitted the state's development agenda, he added that it was vital for private sector contributions alongside government efforts. Tiang pointed to the Bukit Assek Redevelopment Plan as a catalyst for Sibu's transformation, noting that groundwork for the first phase would be visible this year. 'Sarawak's ambition to achieve developed status is not for the government to achieve alone. 'We really need private sector investment,' he said. In line with this, he welcomed the involvement of established property developers such as Ibraco that was exploring opportunities in Sibu. 'Two years ago, I spoke with the owners of Ibraco about coming to Sibu for development projects. 'The company's move to open a sales gallery here is a good start,' he said. Tiang encouraged other developers to consider investing in Sibu. 'Sibu is a major town in the central zone with full potential. 'I am always ready to offer assistance to cater for the development of quality properties in Sibu,' he added. The sales gallery in Jalan Tong Sang marked a milestone in the property developer's aim to better serve customers in Sarawak's central region. It is supported by a dedicated team that can provide sales support to homebuyers and investors. Ibraco's portfolio comprises township developments in three different regions. They are in Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Bintulu, while the second residential development was in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Among Ibraco's Sarawak projects are The NorthBank, Kuching, featuring modern homes and commercial hubs offering convenience amid lush green spaces. In the nearby medical and education hub of Kota Samarahan, Ibraco built Arden City for investment opportunities. Town Square Bintulu that offered modern architectural designs and leisure concepts, was Ibraco's first development venture away from Kuching. In Selangor, NewUrban redefines urban living with contemporary homes and lifestyle amenities for modern city dwellers.
