Malaysia-Thailand road link nears completion, to boost trade and ties
11-Feb-2025 | TheStar
The Malaysia-Thailand road alignment project linking the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex with the Sadao Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.
The Consul General of Malaysia in Songkhla, Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi, said the construction of a new CIQ complex on Thailand’s side had already been completed a few years ago.
However, Ahmad Fahmi noted that the road alignment connecting to the new Thai CIQ complex could not be finalised earlier due to several technical obstacles that caused delays.
“When Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took office, he issued a directive and actively pushed for the project’s resumption. After overcoming these technical issues, the project resumed in 2023 and is now scheduled for completion by July or August this year,” he told Bernama during a recent interview at the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla, Thailand.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the RM141.6 million project, which began following site possession in June last year, has reached 47 per cent physical progress and is scheduled to be completed by September.- NSTP/WAN NABIL NASIR
He expressed hope that the project would begin operations by the end of 2025, bringing significant benefits to both nations.
Meanwhile, regarding the construction of a second bridge connecting Rantau Panjang in Kelantan with Sungai Golok in Narathiwat, Ahmad Fahmi said the project is in its final phase of addressing technical details before construction can commence.
“Building a bridge is far more complex than constructing a road, as it requires meticulous attention to safety and security details. I was informed that the project is currently in its final stage of resolving technical aspects, and once this is completed, construction will begin,” he said, adding that the project remains on schedule.
Ahmad Fahmi highlighted that the completion and operation of these two projects would significantly benefit both Malaysia and Thailand, enhancing trade volumes and boosting the tourism industry for both countries.
He also mentioned Thailand’s plans to upgrade the Thai CIQ facilities in Wang Kelian and Padang Besar, further improving cross-border connectivity.
In 2023, Thailand was Malaysia’s sixth largest trading partner globally and second largest among the Asean Member States, with total trade valued at US$24.83bil (RM113.16bil). – Bernama
New road linking Bukit Kayu Hitam-Sadao border checkpoints to be ready soon
By Adie Zulkifli / NST – November 28, 2023
The new road initiative linking Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) and Sadao ICQS in southern Thailand is expected to be ready soon.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi says the ministry is confident that with the construction of the new road. – NSTP file pic
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said this following the work visit by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Sadao ICQS yesterday under the invitation from the latter’s counterpart Srettha Thavisin.
“The governments of Malaysia and Thailand have reached a fundamental agreement over the design alignment and related technical issue, so that this project will be rolled out to ensure that the connectivity between both countries could be improved.
“The network of this connecting road comprised a two-way six-lane main road (K3-3) spanning 900 metres with U5 standard and a 300-metre service road,” he said in a statement today.
He said that the project will also involve land acquisition, the demolition and building Border Regiment Camp Quarters Block (5RS) and several security structures such as Final Security Post and Security Gates affected by the road alignment.
“The Works Ministry is confident that with the construction of the new road, the comfort and the safety of the road users will be improved inline with MyJalan Campaign aspiration.
“At the same time, this new road is expected to spur economic activities in both countries,” he said.
Yesterday, Anwar announced that Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to resolve pending issues at the border checkpoints in Sadao and Bukit Kayu Hitam in the next two weeks.
He was reported as saying that the matter was agreed during a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Srettha Thavisin in Sadao yesterday.
Anwar added that both countries have agreed to set the time frame in order to resolve the pending issues in order to improve the traffic flow at the border checkpoints.
Border road project to be sped up
By N. TRISHA, 28-Nov-2023 | The Star
Anwar discusses connectivity and bilateral cooperation with Thai PM
BUKIT KAYU HITAM: Efforts are being made to speed up the road alignment project connecting the checkpoints of Malaysia-Thailand border, with a final decision in two weeks.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the project, linking the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) checkpoint and the Sadao Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex, was vital in ensuring faster and more comfortable traffic flow on both sides.
“The alignment project has been delayed and must be done immediately. It took some time because it involved military areas.
“Within two weeks we will make a final decision to iron out the matter,” he told a press conference at the Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS Complex yesterday.
Anwar was on a one-day working trip to Thailand at the invitation of his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin.
The visit, among others, was aimed at reviewing the progress of the road alignment project.
Hatyai, a city located near the Thai-Malaysian border, has always been the travel destination of choice for many Malaysians, especially during school and public holidays.
Following the re-opening of the Thailand-Malaysia border on April 1 last year, the influx of tourists has increased and the city of Hatyai is coming back to life after a two-year break due to the pandemic.
In the first eight months of last year, Thailand recorded more than 4.6 million international tourist arrivals, with Malaysians making up the bulk of the number with 647,648 people.
Enhancing travel: The newly built Sadao CIQ Complex. Once the road alignment project is completed, Malaysians and Thais will be able to travel comfortably and faster between checkpoints. — Bernama
Both Anwar and Srettha also engaged in a closed door meeting followed by a lunch hosted by the latter in honour of Anwar’s visit.
Anwar said there was clear commitment from Thailand towards enhancing bilateral relations with Malaysia.
“He (Srettha) is committed to enhancing bilateral relations within the two countries. He is a good friend and he is committed to this relationship.
“We will focus on speeding up the construction of the connectivity projects at the border which is aimed at promoting business and improving the well-being of the people.
“Things cannot be delayed anymore as we want to have growth which include the tourism sector as well. He (Srettha) was concerned that the number of tourists from Malaysia to Thailand was far more than from Thailand to Malaysia.
“He has instructed their Tourism Minister to meet ours, so both can gain from each other.
“This will create synergy and increase tourist arrivals in both countries like in the southern part of Thailand, Langkawi, Kedah, Perlis, and Penang,” he said.
Anwar said Srettha went into detail about his plans and suggestions, even going as far as to say that Phuket has done well on an international level.
“He asked his tourism minister to share ideas that can be implemented in Langkawi for a similar synergy to be created.
“This is rare of someone who wants to offer his experience and expertise.
“We will share our insight with him and he will share his with us which will have a positive impact on both countries,” he said.
Anwar said discussions on all issues related to bilateral relations during the meeting would be prepared within two weeks, and all the meeting notes would be shared with the Thai authorities for feedback.
“I have given two weeks to complete and make final decisions on all issues and plans which have not been resolved in the past. If some of them cannot be resolved in the next two weeks, the latest will be at the end of February 2024,” he said.