New ferry terminal for Tawau by 2013

Tawau’s old ferry terminal will be replaced with a new one with the completion of a RM50 million project at the end of 2013.

Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Abu Bakar Hassan said the new terminal will be able to accommodate eight ferries and eight small boats at a time and also house the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex.

“Upon completion, the terminal will also house the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine office, as well as provide comfort to ferry passengers and residents of neighbouring countries,” he told reporters after listening to a briefing on the project yesterday.

He added that congestion in the area of economic activity would also be reduced when the project was completed.

Earlier, chief of the old immigration control post, Immigration Assistant Superintendent (PPI) Norizuana Ridwan, in her briefing, said the average number of tourists from Indonesia through the CIQ was 800 daily.

“Our obstacle while on duty is the congestion at the complex as it is small,” she said.

Norizuana said the number of visitors entering Tawau through the centre from January to August this year, whether for work or holiday, was 151,849 people while those leaving was 120,980 people.

Throughout last year, 217,453 people entered Sabah through the inspection centre while 165,857 people left during that period.

“Despite the discomfort, we managed to get through it,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tawau Customs Chief Yunos Tahir said from January to Sept 15 this year, various controlled items were seized including 2,070kg of sugar and 735.5kg of cooking oil which had been smuggled into or out of Tawau. 

Source: Bernama