AZIS: 24-HOUR ICQS NEEDS THAI HELP
‘Is Thailand prepared to offer same service?’
THE proposed 24-hour operations of the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex here can be done only with the Thai government’s cooperation, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman.
He said opening the borders for 24 hours compared with the present 18 must take into consideration if Thailand was prepared to offer the same service.
“We have to consider if they are prepared, how can we open 24 hours if Thailand is closed... So far, the proposal is still at the discussion stage.
“At present, we are operating 18 hours a day after the first phase of the new complex was completed last year, but in terms of infrastructure, we are prepared to open the border for 24 hours,” he said.
Earlier, Azis visited the second phase of the ICQS Integrated Construction Project Site, which is due to be completed in the middle of next year and was satisfied with the project which was 10 per cent ahead of schedule.
Former deputy prime minister and former home minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously said the 24hour operations would begin on Jan 1.
Aziz said when it was completed, the second phase, which costs RM133 million, would facilitate operations and make it easier for Malaysians travelling to Thailand and Thais coming to Malaysia.