By Amanda L
KUCHING, Aug 10: Sarawak’s SUKMA contingent is set to travel to Selangor aboard its own AirBorneo aircraft, with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg highlighting the State’s use of its own airline to ferry the athletes.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the Sarawak contingent flags for the Selangor Malaysia Games (SUKMA) and Para SUKMA 2026 here today, Abang Johari referred to the contingent’s travel arrangements before saying Sarawak would use its own aircraft.
“I was asked by Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu whether the athletes would be travelling on AirBorneo. We will also be using our own aircraft. Once our aircraft takes to the skies, our flag and our athletes will be flying high as champions,” he said.
The development follows earlier discussions between the Sarawak Government and AirBorneo on chartering flights to transport athletes and officials to Selangor for the 22nd Malaysia Games (SUKMA).
In July, Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said talks were ongoing on the possibility of chartering AirBorneo flights, but the airline did not have enough aircraft to transport the entire contingent.
He said Sarawak would therefore need to use other airlines as well.
The logistics arrangement is particularly important for this year’s SUKMA as events will be spread across nine districts in Selangor, with cycling to be held in Negeri Sembilan, Abdul Karim had said previously.
The 22nd SUKMA will be held in Selangor from Aug 15 to 24, 2026, followed by the Para SUKMA from Sept 5 to 14. — DayakDaily
