Reinstate direct Kuching-Pontianak flight to revive tourism, trade, S'wak activist tells govt
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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
7 minutes ago
- The Star
Sarikei to host 2025 Sarawak-level National Day celebrations
SIBU: Sarikei will host the 2025 state-level National Day celebrations on August 30 and 31, says Sarawak's Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah. She said this year's celebration carries the theme "Malaysia Madani: People in Harmony", which underscores the importance of prioritising the people in national development, ensuring shared prosperity and fostering appreciation for cultural diversity and human values. "The National Day celebration is not merely an annual event. It is a manifestation of the spirit of struggle of past generations which must continue to be nurtured in the hearts of every citizen. The theme reminds us that true independence is when the people are protected, valued and treated with respect in all aspects of life," Fatimah said at a press conference on Monday (Aug 18). Fatimah, who is the minister in charge of the celebrations, said the two-day programme is expected to draw around 10,000 people. Highlights of the two-day event include performances by artists such as Nai Dinamik, Bob, and Zizi Kirana as well as cultural showcases and a fireworks display. On Aug 31, a Unity Walk will be held at Sarikei Stadium starting at 7am. "The event will bring together participants from all walks of life as a symbol of community strength and unity," she said. Participants will receive Unity Walk shirts but are also encouraged to wear traditional Sarawakian ethnic attire or accessories. Fatimah called on all Sarawakians to come together and enliven the celebration by flying the Jalur Gemilang at their homes, business premises and vehicles as a sign of loyalty and love for the nation.
New Straits Times
37 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Court to decide tomorrow if former A-G must answer over addendum
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court is expected to decide tomorrow whether former attorney-general Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh must answer contempt proceedings over the royal addendum allowing Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve his sentence under house arrest. Najib's lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, said judge Alice Loke Yee Chin will hear the leave application filed by the former prime minister tomorrow morning. Najib made the application based on clear evidence that Terrirudin, who is now a Federal Court judge, had knowledge of the alleged addendum order but allegedly chose to mislead the court. If the court allows the leave application, Terrirudin is highly likely to be ordered to show cause why he should not be cited for contempt. If the court denies the application, the contempt proceedings against Terrirudin will not proceed. Shafee said the court will also hear the gag order application by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) tomorrow, which seeks to restrict public discussion of the addendum order. The senior lawyer said the defence team will also try to persuade the court to hear the full judicial review hearing on Sept 19. "The court has fixed Sept 19 to hear several matters, including whether the gag order should be maintained and an amendment to the substantive order. "However, we want to clear Sept 19 so that it can be set for the substantive hearing," he said when met at the court complex's lobby today. On May 23, legal firm Messrs. Shafee & Co., which represented Najib, said that the addendum order dated Jan 29, 2024, was handed to Najib through his son, Datuk Mohamad Nizar, and that the Pahang Royal Council had officially confirmed its authenticity via a letter dated Jan 4 this year. The statement said that as a public officer, Terrirudin had a duty to be fully honest with the court. It added that both Malaysian and international legal principles, including recent Federal Court decisions, clearly require the government to present all relevant facts and documents in any judicial review. On Aug 13, the Federal Court dismissed the A-GC's final appeal to block Najib's judicial review over a royal addendum, after the A-GC conceded that the addendum exists. The top court said this concession had a great impact on the questions posed before them, in particular, the questions relating to the existence of the disputed new evidence. Najib is serving a six-year sentence after being convicted of misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd. The High Court had initially sentenced him to 12 years in prison with a fine of RM210 million. This verdict was upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court. However, his sentence was reduced to six years, and his fine was lowered to RM50 million following his petition for a royal pardon on Sept 2, 2022.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Tengku Zafrul concedes Malaysia hit with 19pc US tariffs after refusing to cross ‘red lines', but insists won't retaliate
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — Malaysia faces a 19 per cent tariffs from the United States since it refuses to cross the 'red lines' in its negotiations with Washington, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abd Aziz has said. Speaking in an interview with US-based CNBC's 'Squawk Box Asia', Tengku Zafrul said that Malaysia will however not retaliate since the US is too important as an investor and export destination for Malaysia and Asean. 'We've seen that there were some red lines that we discussed during our tariff negotiation, and they understood,' he said. 'And I mean, that's, I guess, one of the reasons why we got 19 per cent is because we don't meet up with all the requests. We didn't agree with all the requests.' The transcript of the interview was made available to Malay Mail. On August 1, the US announced it has imposed a reduced tariff of 19 per cent on Malaysian imports — revised from the initially scheduled 25 per cent. Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that Malaysia will not bow to pressure that could undermine national policies, including negotiations with the US related to tariffs. He said that although investment and trade with the US are significant, Malaysia has a 'red line' in negotiations — namely the Bumiputera policy — which must not be compromised, even if it is perceived as 'discriminatory' by external parties. In addition, Tengku Zafrul also acknowledged market concern over possible sectoral tariffs, noting former US president Donald Trump has floated duties as high as 300 per cent on semiconductor products. He said semiconductor tariffs remain at 0 per cent, but warned that sharp hikes would hit Malaysia and its regional peers. 'If you look at the supply chain of semiconductor, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, I mean all the Asean countries are quite involved in that supply chain into the US, into China, into Europe. And this will have an impact to not just for Malaysia or for Asean, but globally as well,' he said. On diversification, he said Malaysia is pressing ahead with multiple trade tracks to reduce over-reliance on not only US, but also China. Tengku Zafrul also disclosed Malaysia has concluded a trade deal with South Korea that is slated to be signed at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) or a leaders' summit. Talks with the European Union have resumed after stalling in 2012, and engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council has begun, he added. He said Malaysia is also pushing to upgrade the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement and has concluded a third-version upgrade of the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement with green and digital chapters. Tengku Zafrul added that with intra-Asean trade still below 25 per cent, an Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement — set for discussion in Malaysia on the 28th — will be critical to pull more small and medium enterprises into regional trade.
