By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 8: The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, has proposed the establishment of direct flight routes connecting Kuching, Kuantan, and Melaka to strengthen cooperation and people-to-people ties among the three regions.
His Majesty said the proposal is in line with the establishment of Sarawak-owned airline Air Borneo, which has the potential to serve as a catalyst in enhancing connectivity and fostering closer bonds, Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) reported.
According to the Pahang Ruler, the matter was previously discussed with the Governor of Melaka, and it is hoped that it will also receive attention from the Sarawak leadership.
“I hope the Sarawak Governor will consider this proposed route as a strategic destination in efforts to strengthen the bonds of friendship and kinship among us.
“Even twice a week would be sufficient to enable the people of Pahang, Sarawak, and Melaka to visit one another, thereby further fostering goodwill,” he said.
The Sultan of Pahang spoke when gracing the closing ceremony of the Pahang Heritage Festival at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Kuantan on Sunday (Sept 7).
At the same time, His Majesty also expressed the wish for stronger ties between the people of different states, not only through transport linkages but also through shared appreciation of culture and heritage, which he described as the pillars of national identity.
Also present at the event were the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al Haj, Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, as well as the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Ibni Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Others in attendance included Pahang Menteri Besar, Dato Sri Diraja Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and his wife, Datin Sri Diraja Dato Burhah Mohammed, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, Kuching North City Commission, and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, members of the Pahang Royal Family, and Pahang State Executive Councillors.
The Pahang Heritage Festival 2025 was held over a week beginning on Sept 1 at the Tunku Azizah Royal Craft Village, Pulau Keladi, Pekan.
The programme, jointly organised by the Pahang Department of Culture and Arts and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak, featured a variety of cultural activities including traditional craft exhibitions, ethnic dance performances, art workshops, and displays of handicrafts from Sarawak and other states.
The event also drew international participation from Türkiye, Laos, Singapore, and Indonesia, and received an encouraging response from local visitors. — DayakDaily
