LANGKAWI: Sarawak has proposed broadening the scope of the Sarawak–Kalimantan Barat (KALBAR) Socio-Economic Malindo (SOSEK Malindo) platform to officially include Kalimantan Timur (KALTIM) and Kalimantan Utara (KALTARA), paving the way for a more comprehensive mechanism to discuss socioeconomic and security matters along the Malaysia–Indonesia border.
The proposal was put forward by Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datuk Seri Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, who led the Sarawak government delegation as chair of SOSEK Malindo Sarawak at the 40th Meeting of the Malaysia–Indonesia Socioeconomic Working Committee/Working Group (JKK/KK SOSEK Malindo) 2025 held in Langkawi, Kedah recently
Dr. Abdullah said the inclusion of the two additional Indonesian provinces would strengthen cross-border cooperation and enhance the effectiveness of joint efforts in addressing regional socioeconomic development and security issues.
During the meeting, Sarawak also raised the need to expedite the normalisation of the Tebedu–Entikong border trade, in line with the agreement reached between the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the President of Indonesia during the 13th Annual Malaysia–Indonesia Consultation on July 29 this year.
The state emphasised that the matter is urgent as it directly affects development in the Sarawak–Kalimantan Barat border region.
Additionally, the meeting saw both sides agreeing to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the repatriation of remains between Sarawak and KALBAR.
Meanwhile, the Temporary Temajuk Border Crossing (PLB Sementara Temajuk) is expected to be completed by December 2025, with its officiation targeted for the first quarter of 2026.
Dr. Abdullah said the inclusion of the two additional Indonesian provinces would strengthen cross-border cooperation and enhance the effectiveness of joint efforts in addressing regional socioeconomic development and security issues.
During the meeting, Sarawak also raised the need to expedite the normalisation of the Tebedu–Entikong border trade, in line with the agreement reached between the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the President of Indonesia during the 13th Annual Malaysia–Indonesia Consultation on July 29 this year.
The state emphasised that the matter is urgent as it directly affects development in the Sarawak–Kalimantan Barat border region.
Additionally, the meeting saw both sides agreeing to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the repatriation of remains between Sarawak and KALBAR.
Meanwhile, the Temporary Temajuk Border Crossing (PLB Sementara Temajuk) is expected to be completed by December 2025, with its officiation targeted for the first quarter of 2026.