By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Feb 15: The name of Sarawak’s first-ever airline, AirBorneo, is a source of pride for all Sarawakians and should not be ridiculed, said Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng.
His remarks came following Sarawak’s historic acquisition of MASwings, which will be rebranded as AirBorneo. Some critics have suggested that the name could have been better chosen, pointing out its similarity to the Borneo bottled mineral water brand.
Wee, however, dismissed such criticisms, emphasising that Sarawak stands out among Malaysian states for having its own airline.
“None of the other states in Malaysia have their own airline. In the tourism sector, only Sarawak and Sabah have their own tourism boards, while other states in Peninsular Malaysia fall under the Malaysia Tourism Board,” he said during his ShallWeeTalk Facebook live session today.
He highlighted that this special privileges and autonomy allows Sarawak and Sabah to promote their own destinations more effectively.
“If we were to wait for others, it would take forever. I have been in the tourism sector for over 10 years, and I know how difficult it can be,” he said.
Wee urged citizens and netizens to use proper platforms to voice their opinions constructively instead of resorting to public criticism.
“There is no need to beat the drums to criticise or talk down our own people or Sarawak, as it only gives others an opportunity to attack us,” he stressed.
He further pointed out that Sarawak’s autonomy in managing its own affairs has been crucial to its progress.
“If we had to rely on others, we wouldn’t be where we are today. With a stable and wealthy government, Sarawakians have a unique opportunity to contribute to nation-building,” he said.
Wee also echoed Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian’s sentiment that Sarawak is in an era of nation-building, focusing on strengthening infrastructure and human capital.
“That is why the caring Sarawak government has plans to provide free tertiary education for our children, alongside special healthcare and welfare support for our ageing population. Just imagine the benefits Sarawakians will enjoy compared to others. We should take pride in Sarawak,” he said.
He emphasized that unity is essential to Sarawak’s progress, as every effort is dedicated to securing a brighter future for the region and its younger generations.
“Let’s set aside petty issues and come together to discuss the bigger picture,” he added. — DayakDaily
