Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and Indonesia have reached an agreement to inaugurate more than 10 new border entry points along the Kalimantan-Sabah-Sarawak frontier. This development comes in response to Indonesia’s plan to move its capital to East Kalimantan, as announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has committed an allocation of RM1 billion to support the development of these new border entry points. The initiative is seen as a strategic response to the proposed capital relocation by Indonesia, aiming to enhance cross-border accessibility and cooperation between the two nations.

Saifuddin Nasution, speaking at a press conference following the INTAN Minister’s Conversation (IMC) 2025 programme, detailed the bilateral agreement. Although he did not specify the exact number of entry points, he confirmed that it exceeds ten. The programme, themed ‘Our Nation, Security Is a Shared Responsibility,’ was held at the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN).

Key officials, including Public Service deputy director-general (development) Datuk Dr Mohd Bakhari Ismail and Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, were in attendance. Saifuddin Nasution highlighted that the new entry points would be operational only after the finalisation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), with various ministries and agencies contributing to necessary infrastructure developments, such as access roads and communication towers.

He underscored the importance of communication infrastructure, noting that the Communications Ministry needs to establish communication towers to ensure effective operations at immigration points. The minister emphasized that the 300-kilometre border’s new entry points are expected to enhance mobility and foster economic growth in the region.