ALOR GAJAH: The Melaka government is awaiting the Federal Government’s approval to reopen the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at the Melaka-Dumai International Ferry Terminal at Bandar Hilir here.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said the restarting of operations at the complex involves several procedures that need to be followed, including compliance with Covid-19 standard operation procedures (SOP).
“So far, tourists arrive via the land routes in Melaka. As for the sea routes, we are waiting (for approval). This will involve opening the country’s borders when visitors from Indonesia arrive in Melaka via ferries.
“In addition, this decision (approval) will involve several agencies at the federal level, including the Marine Department and Immigration Department,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama after the state government’s meet-the-customers programme and the launch of the Taman Bandar Baru Masjid Tanah Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) Digital Economy Centre (PEDi) here yesterday.
The Melaka-Dumai International Ferry Terminal ICQ Complex is one of the entry-exit gateways for Indonesians via Dumai, but the route had been closed following the border closure between Malaysia and Indonesia due to the pandemic.
Malaysia is still waiting for Indonesia and Brunei to be ready to open their borders.