By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 1: The Sarawak government is prepared to negotiate with the federal government to facilitate civil servants’ use of AirBorneo for official travel, including applications for travel warrants, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Responding to reporters’ questions on whether there would be arrangements with Putrajaya to ease the use of AirBorneo for civil servants returning home, Abang Johari said the matter could be discussed.
“There is no problem. This is something we can negotiate,” he said after the Walk of Health Programme held at Taman Botani Sarawak here this morning.
When asked if there were plans in place, Abang Johari said developments were underway, noting that AirBorneo’s chairman Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki was present at the event.
“We will see after July, when we begin jet operations. These jets will connect Kuching to international destinations such as Japan, Korea and within ASEAN,” he said.
For regional Borneo routes, including Balikpapan, Samarinda and Pontianak, he said AirBorneo would first utilise ATR aircraft.
“We can use ATR for these routes. The configuration will also be changed to make it more comfortable. ATR is suitable because the distances are short and not too far,” he explained.
Abang Johari also pointed to Sarawak’s strong growth in medical tourism, citing statistics monitored by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“Based on the statistics, our medical tourism is very high. That is why we are investing in the development of private hospitals,” he said.
Among the projects mentioned were the planned Gleneagles Hospital in Batu Lintang, the Northbank Hospital in Tabuan, as well as the expansion of Borneo Medical Centre.
“These developments are to support growing demand and further strengthen Sarawak as a medical tourism hub,” he added. — DayakDaily
