MIRI: The Social and Economic Cooperation Conference (SOSEK MALINDO) continues to strengthen ties between Sarawak and West Kalimantan with the convening of the 38th Technical Committee Meeting and Working Committee Session, held here today and tomorrow.

Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Dato Sri Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, officiated and chaired the conference, which brings together representatives from both Malaysia and West Kalimantan Province.

In his opening remarks as Chairman of the Sarawak SOSEK MALINDO Working Committee, Dato Sri Dr. Muhammad Abdullah welcomed the Malaysian delegation as well as the West Kalimantan delegation led by Ibu Hajah Linda Purnama.

He also proposed that North Kalimantan (KALTARA) and East Kalimantan (KALTIM) be included in future sessions to further expand bilateral cooperation under the SOSEK MALINDO platform.

Dato Sri Dr. Muhammad Abdullah called on delegates to focus on several key issues, including the management of cross-border repatriation of remains, operational matters concerning the Temajuk Border Crossing / Telok Melano Border Control Post, and concerns regarding the construction of a lighthouse by Indonesian authorities in an area under Sarawak’s jurisdiction.

He further stressed that while exploring new areas of socio-economic cooperation between Sarawak and West Kalimantan, security along the border must remain a crucial component in ensuring successful implementation of joint programmes.

Strong collaboration between enforcement agencies on both sides, he added, will help facilitate economic activities while reducing national revenue losses caused by cross-border criminal activities.

Also present were Miri Resident Galong Luang, Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah, Director of State Security, Sarawak State National Security Council (MKN), Mohammad Haffizie Putit, Sarawak Immigration Department Director Abdul Halim Abang Naili, along with heads of federal and state departments. -UKASnews