Wednesday, February 10, 2010

June 25, 2009 22:40 PM

Malaysia-Brunei Discuss Cargo Transit Payment Issue

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri held a discussion with Brunei Communications Minister Datuk Seri Setia Awang Abu Bakar Apong on several bilateral issues including the customs transit payment which was said to be burdening local transport operators who cross the Brunei border to go to Limbang, Sarawak.

Abdul Rahim said that it was decided for the issue to be discussed further and in greater details through bilaterals talks which were held annually involving their foreign ministries.

He told Bernama Thursday that the discussion with Awang Abu Bakar was on the sidelines of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Aera (BIMP-EAGA) meeting in Menado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

He said that presently, up to B$100 (RM242) was imposed on each vehicle carrying cargo through the Brunei border.

This affected transport operators from Sabah and Sarawak, and might derail efforts to enhance trade and undermine the BIMP-EAGA initiative towards transport liberalisation and integration, he added.

-- BERNAMA

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