By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 3: The Sarawak Ministry of Transport (MOTS) will submit an official request to its federal counterpart to expedite approval for a proposed cross-border bus service linking Kuching and Putussibau in West Kalimantan to improve connectivity between Sarawak and Indonesia.
This was said by MOTS Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin during a working visit to the Lubok Antu Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex today to inspect the facility’s operational readiness and evaluate a proposal to introduce a cross-border bus service linking Kuching and Putussibau via the Lubok Antu–Nanga Badau entry point.
In a press release, he said that the proposed route would not only facilitate travel for people in both regions but also has the potential to boost tourism, medical tourism, trade, and cross-border economic activities.
He also said that bus operators—Biaramas Express from Sarawak and DAMRI from Indonesia—have indicated that they are ready to commence operations.
“According to the Consul of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, the overland journey from Putussibau to Pontianak currently takes about 20 hours.
“However, if the route via the Lubok Antu–Nanga Badau ICQS and subsequently the Tebedu–Entikong ICQS is utilised, the travel time is expected to be reduced by more than half, offering users a faster and more efficient travel option,” said Lee during a press conference after the working visit, which was also attended by representatives of Malaysian and Indonesian government agencies, as well as cross-border bus service operators.
He added that the ministry also sees potential for Kuching to become a regional transit hub linking air and land transport networks between Sarawak and Indonesia.
“With the availability of direct flights between Kuching and Jakarta, as well as AirBorneo’s future participation, this cross-border bus route will further strengthen Kuching’s position as a regional transit hub linking air and land transport networks between Sarawak and Indonesia.
“Passengers from Indonesia can continue their journey through Kuching International Airport to various destinations, while passengers arriving in Kuching can also travel onward to Kalimantan via the cross-border bus service. This will create a more integrated and complementary transport ecosystem between the two regions.
“All parties are ready. Therefore, we hope the approval process can be expedited so that this route can be opened as soon as possible to provide better transport services for the people of both regions,” he said.
The working visit was also attended by MOTS Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil and permanent secretary Datu Wong Hee Sieng; Consul of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching Musa Derek Sairwona; Sri Aman Division Resident Mahra Salleh; Lubok Antu District Police Chief DSP Pricha Azin; Sarawak Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) director Cornelia Wong Chui; Road Transport Department (JPJ) Sarawak Senior Division Head (Management and Corporate) Christopher Alex Boniface Barau; Head of Land Transport and Logistics Division at the Sarawak Ministry of Transport Chong Chi Fam; Head of Project Management Division Catherine Lee; and representatives of Biaramas Express and DAMRI Indonesia. — DayakDaily
