The West Kalimantan Provinces government and business communities are pressing for the opening of more border points to develop economic oriented activities, but Sarawak is being cautious.

The areas identified by West Kalimantan are Nanga Badau in Kapuas Ulu, Senanim in Sintang, Entikong in Sanggau, Jagoi Babang in Bengkayang and Baloh in Sambas.

Its former governor Usman Ghaffar held a dialogue session with representatives from the Sarawak Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce, Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently.

"We will officially open the border doors to enable economic activities to be developed there and allow the citizens of the two neighbouring countries to interact in business, tourism or other activities," he said.

However, this has only evoked a lukewarm response from Sarawak, which is apprehensive due to security reasons.

It is learnt that Indonesian authorities have nearly completed the construction of a Custom, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facility near Badau in West Kalimantan while Sarawak has yet to even start on theirs in Lubok Antu.

"They want it faster but we have to be very careful because there are too many unforeseen circumstances," said a Sarawak State Security official when met recently.

Criminals, illegal immigrants

The CIQ was once considered a top priority development project for the Lubok Antu district but the scenario has changed now.

The concerns are compounded by the fact that Sarawak prisons are filled with substantial numbers of Indonesians.

Although a majority of them are held over immigration offences and petty crimes, there is a worry that professional criminals from the neighbouring country are seeking greener pastures in Sarawak.

Since the opening of two bordering gates linking Sarawak with West Kalimantan via Tebedu near Serian and Serikin near Bau, it is discovered that criminals from both sides are forming strategic alliances.

A senior West Kalimantan politician from the Sanggau district admits the existence of Indonesian bad hats in Kuching.

"I noticed that there are quite many of them hanging around in Kuching," said the senator, who declined to be named.

With no less than 65 illegal jungle routes, commonly known as 'Jalan Tikus', linking the two countries, trans-border crimes have become a major headache for Sarawak authorities.

Apart from these, ferry services are facilitating human trafficking and growing number of illegal immigrants is also causing concern.

To make matters worse, Sarawak police have complained that the cooperation extended by their Indonesian counterparts still leaves much to be desired.

Jimmy Teoh is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer.