Miri transport, logistics businesses fear for future

MIRI: A transport service provider here says he fears for the future of his family’s business now that Brunei’s ‘Caj Perkhidmatan’ (CaP) or exit and entry charge order for all citizens, residents and foreigners travelling through its border posts by land, has taken effect.

Raymond Dawar Yahaya, 21, who has plying the Miri-LimbangLawas route for the past four years, said the CaP is a burden to service providers like him who are already hard hit by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“On top of the CaP which costs BN$3 (RM9.09) per person for a one-way trip (or RM18.18 return to Miri), we also need to apply for the foreign vehicle sticker which costs an additional BN$30 (RM90.90),” he said when contacted for comments on the CaP, which took effect yesterday.

In addition to these charges, Raymond said he and his passengers would also have to pay to undergo a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) test for Covid-19 before entering Brunei through its land control post.

“Definitely, there will be a drop in number of passengers because now it is mandatory for each passenger to undergo the test. This is an additional cost for them, on top of the transportation charges, which many would not be willing to borne the cost,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jackie Lim, 46, who manages a logistics company here, also opined that the new ruling will have effect on his business which first started in 1964.

“We are keeping a close eye on the latest ruling and the development because it is going to affect the business in the long run. One of my drivers had just booked a slot at a private hospital here today for the Covid-19 test which cost RM388,” he said, adding the company makes around 10 trips via the Brunei border monthly.

The Brunei government through the Prime Minister’s Department in a statement on Sept 30 said that all foreign nationals including Malaysians are required to under the Covid-19 test prior to entering the country.

It said that negative test results can be used within seven days from the date the test is taken and that the ruling is applicable for every entry of foreign nationals including transit passengers and drivers as well as passengers of commercial vehicles.