International Trade and Industry Assistant Minister Datuk Macolm Mussen Lamuh said that with the relocation of the Indonesian capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan, Sarawak will gain in terms of business and economic opportunities.

He said the opportunities will be in the form of joint border development, trade, and investment, healthcare, education, tourism and collaboration among the small and medium enterprises development.

The relocation of the Indonesian capital would put Sarawak in a better position to grab the economic opportunities given the adoption of Industry 4.0 as well as improving connectivity throughout the state, including digital infrastructure and increasing agriculture production through modernization and commercialization.

In a response to questions by Dr. Abang Hazland Abang Hipni during Question Time in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, Mussen commented on how Sarawak has existing platforms for cooperation with West Kalimantan through Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and through Kerjasama Socio-Ekonomi Malaysia-Indonesia (SOSEK Malindo).

He also said the state government is planning to set up Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Pontianak, West Kalimantan which will function to promote and enhance trade and tourism between Sarawak and Indonesia. The state government will also consider setting another trade office in East Kalimantan after the relocation of the Indonesian capital.