Masing (standing, centre) and others arrive at the GOF camp in Tapah Megah via a helicopter ride from Kapit. Also seen in the group photo are (standing, from right) Saini, Mancha and Ugak.
KAPIT (July 14): The Kapit Disaster Management Committee (KDMC) has delivered equipment and supplies to General Operations Force (GOF) personnel stationed at Rantau Penora and Tapak Megah in Ulu Baleh.
These two sites, located more than 250km from Kapit town, are set to become full-fledged border control posts in the future that would oversee patrolling and monitoring over the boundary lines between Sarawak and Kalimantan.
At the moment, only GOF personnel are stationed there as the construction of permanent bases has yet to commence.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, Tapah Megah and Rantau Penora have been approved by the government to become the forward bases for the GOF, the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and also the Immigration Department.
“Construction (of the buildings) would commence once the accessibility to Tapah Megah and Rantau Penora has been upgraded. My ministry (of Infrastructure and Ports Development) is now designing the road network.
“The temporary buildings, however, are now in progress,” said Masing, who is Baleh assemblyman, in a statement issued in connection with his visits to Rantau Penora and Tapak Megah on Monday to oversee the handing-over of the equipment, supplies and building materials to the GOF teams there.
GOF Sarawak Commander SAC Saini Bongkek was present to receive the goods from Masing, witnessed by Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner DCP Mancha Ata.
Accompanying the Deputy Chief Minister were Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Deputy Kapit Resident Galong Luang, Kapit District Officer Cerisologo Sabut, Bukit Mabong District Officer Douglas Pungga, Kapit District Council secretary Jabang Juntan, divisional Public Works Department (JKR) road engineer Kilat Naipok and Masing’s administrative officer Robert Liman.
Adding on, Masing regarded the setting up of the border posts at Tapah Megah and Rantau Penora as ‘very significant’, in that Indonesia’s new capital would be moved to Samarinda in Kalimantan in six years’ time.
“This would also translate into the movement of about three million people (to the new capital).
This area (Tapah Megah and Rantau Penora, collectively) is only about 450km from the new Indonesian capital.
“Thus, having tight and secure border security is very important to prevent illegal border-crossing involving people from either side, as well as to prevent cross-border smuggling or illegal trade.
“Over the past few months, several Patis (illegal immigrants) have been caught at routes along our borders. In this regard, the setting-up of GOF, ATM and Immigration bases is of utmost importance,” he said.
Among the goods delivered by KDMC to the GOF camps at Tapah Megah and Rantau Penora camps were camera sets, four motorcycles for patrolling, two units of 10 feet x 10 feet tents, two 1,000-litre water tanks, two generator sets, four units of foldable tables, 20 units of plastic chairs, essential supplies, as well as constructions materials to build temporary quarters, complete with electrical wiring and outlets, and also basic piping for daily water usage such as for washrooms and toilets.