By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 5: Relevant authorities in Indonesia and Malaysia—particularly the Ministries of Transport in both countries—and AirAsia Group have been urged to prioritise and expedite the reinstatement of direct flights between Pontianak and Kuching, as the route serves as a vital lifeline for communities on both sides of the border.
Sarawak social activist Peter John Jaban made the call after recently leading a delegation of 50 Sarawakian business leaders to West Kalimantan by road. He said the success of the mission was marred by the long and inefficient Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) procedures at the border, which led to four-hour delays, long queues, and cumbersome paperwork.
“This journey reinforced how vital a direct flight connection is—not only for convenience but for maintaining productive bilateral ties. The land route simply cannot substitute for air travel in terms of speed, comfort, and efficiency,” he said in a statement today.
He stressed that the suspension of the Pontianak-Kuching route since March 2024 has significantly impacted cross-border tourism, business, medical travel, and cultural exchanges that have long flourished between Sarawak and Kalimantan.
“Before the suspension, the Pontianak-Kuching route was a lifeline for thousands of travellers each month. Its unavailability now forces people to take longer, costlier routes through Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur, creating undue burdens on families, businesses, and local economies,” he said.
Peter John emphasised that restoring the route would revitalise tourism, inject revenue into the local economy, and enhance access to healthcare in Sarawak for many West Kalimantan residents who have long relied on the State’s modern, affordable medical facilities.
“Without direct air connectivity, this valuable segment of tourism suffers, and patients are forced to endure longer, costlier journeys,” he stressed.
He also highlighted the plight of many families straddling both sides of the border—particularly those connected via Biawak and Tebedu CIQ—who are now left with cumbersome travel options due to the lack of air connectivity.
“This route plays a strategic role in Asean connectivity and economic integration under the BIMP-EAGA framework. Reinstating it is not merely a logistical matter; it is a question of fairness, development, and cooperation,” he said.
Calling for swift action, Peter John appealed to the Indonesian and Sarawak governments to urgently authorise Pontianak as an international entry point, thus paving the way for airlines such as AirAsia to reintroduce this vital route.
He also urged AirAsia and other carriers to demonstrate their commitment to regional development by resuming flights as soon as possible.
“The people of Kalimantan and Sarawak deserve better connectivity and the opportunity to thrive together.
“Let us reconnect Pontianak and Kuching for business, for health, and for the future,” he concluded. — DayakDaily
