By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, April 19: Direct international flights via Sarawak-owned airline, AirBorneo, are expected to eliminate the need for travellers to go through two immigration processes when entering the State.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the current system, where tourists transit through Kuala Lumpur before entering Sarawak, forces them to complete immigration formalities twice due to the State’s autonomy.
“If tourists come to Malaysia, they have to fill in immigration forms in Kuala Lumpur, and then again for Sarawak because we have our own immigration rights. They ask why there are two forms.
“That is why we want to expand our tourism routes, and that is why we are establishing AirBorneo,” he said when speaking at the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Convention 2026 held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
On regional demand, Abang Johari highlighted the proximity of Jakarta, just one hour and 20 minutes away, pointing out that many travellers already fly to Sarawak for medical treatment.
He also revealed that Sarawak had initially proposed a joint venture with Sabah, offering the State a 30 per cent stake in the AirBorneo airline, but the arrangement did not materialise.
“Initially, the Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim suggested that we take it over together with Sabah. We sincerely offered Sabah a 30 per cent stake, but they chose not to proceed. As a result, AirBorneo is now 100 per cent owned by Sarawak,” he said.
Addressing concerns over airfares, he acknowledged that ticket prices may not decrease immediately due to transitional arrangements linked to MASwings.
“During this transition, we do not yet have full control. But once we do, we will be able to manage it for the benefit of Sarawakians,” he added. — DayakDaily
