Reinstate direct Kuching-Pontianak flight to revive tourism, trade, S'wak activist tells govt

Borneo Post

20 hours ago

Peter (front) in a group photo with the Sarawak delegation in West Kalimantan.
MIRI (June 6): Social activist Peter John Jaban has called on the government to urgently reinstate the direct flight between Kuching and Pontianak, emphasising that improved air connectivity is crucial to facilitate cross-border travel and strengthen ties between Sarawak and West Kalimantan.
He raised the issue following a recent overland trip to West Kalimantan, which he led alongside a delegation of 50 Sarawakian business leaders.
While the mission was successful, the group faced nearly four hours of delays at Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) checkpoints due to long queues and complicated paperwork.
'This journey underscored the urgent need for a direct flight. The land route simply cannot substitute for air travel in terms of speed, comfort, and efficiency.
'A direct connection is vital, not only for convenience but for maintaining bilateral ties,' he said in a statement.
Peter expressed hope that both Indonesian and Malaysian authorities would prioritise and expedite the reinstatement of the Kuching-Pontianak air service, which has been suspended since March 2024.
He pointed out that communities on both sides of the border have been adversely affected, as the suspension impacts livelihoods directly.
'This is not just a flight route, it is a lifeline. Its suspension has disrupted cross-border tourism, hindered medical and educational travel, and slowed down vital cultural and economic exchanges that have long flourished between our people,' he said.
Before the flight suspension, thousands of travellers relied on the direct connection each month.
Peter said without it, passengers are forced to transit through Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur, resulting in longer, more costly, and physically exhausting journeys, especially for those seeking medical care in Sarawak.
'Quick access via air is not a luxury; it is a necessity,' he stressed, citing Sarawak's rising status as a medical tourism hub, particularly for Indonesian patients seeking affordable, quality treatment.
He also argued that reinstating the flight is critical for small businesses, local tour operators, and the hospitality sector as the region strives to recover from economic challenges.
Furthermore, Peter highlighted that restoring this air link would support broader regional integration under the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) framework, serving as a vital bridge for cross-border development.
In this regard, he also urged AirAsia and other airlines to demonstrate their commitment to regional growth and connectivity.
'This is not merely a logistical issue, it is a matter of fairness, development, and cooperation.
'The people of Kalimantan and Sarawak deserve better connectivity and the opportunity to thrive together,' said Peter. direct flight kalimantan Kuching Peter John Jaban