By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 15: Sarawak is exploring the establishment of direct express bus services linking Pontianak to Brunei through Sarawak, while also looking into expanding regional air routes to strengthen Borneo’s cross-border connectivity.
According to a Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) press release, Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin announced the plans during his one-day working visit to Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Sept 12, which followed his participation on AirAsia’s inaugural Kuching–Pontianak direct flight earlier that morning, marking the resumption of services after a five-year suspension.
During a courtesy call on West Kalimantan Governor Dr H Ria Norsan, discussions centred on enhancing cooperation in land transport and air connectivity.
Lee said that following his recent meeting with Brunei’s Transport Minister, both sides welcomed the proposal for express bus services that would create greater mobility and strengthen land connectivity across Borneo.
On aviation, both Sarawak and West Kalimantan are exploring the potential for new direct air routes, which may involve local Indonesian airlines as well as Sarawak’s own carrier, AirBorneo.
Future expansions could include links to Nusantara and Balikpapan, further enhancing accessibility across the region.
Lee also held talks with the Malaysian Consul in Pontianak, Azizul Zekri Abd Rahim, where discussions addressed border traffic, road conditions, and congestion issues.
A key concern raised was long queues at the Pos Lintas Batas Negara (PLBN) Aruk due to staff absences during rest periods.
Proposed solutions included a shift system to maintain operations during lunch breaks and extending border operating hours by an additional hour.
The Consul assured that these matters will be tabled at the upcoming Sosek Malindo meeting, with Indonesia also agreeing to explore solutions.
In the evening, Lee attended an engagement session with local Chinese Hakka community leaders, further strengthening people-to-people ties between Sarawak and West Kalimantan.
Describing the visit as both productive and timely, Lee said it reaffirmed Sarawak’s strong commitment to closer regional cooperation.
“From land transport and aviation to cross-border facilitation, we are building ‘bridges’ that will benefit people on both sides of the border and strengthen Borneo’s regional growth,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
