KUALA LUMPUR: Discussions have been held to further develop air and maritime connectivity between Malaysia and Indonesia, says the Transport Minister.
This follows talks between Anthony Loke and his Indonesian counterpart Budi Karya Sumadi during the latter’s visit here in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 21).
"We discussed a few matters and one of them was on air connectivity so that Malaysian airlines can resume flights to Indonesia.
"For example, Jakarta International Airport is at its full capacity and the minister has given a commitment to help facilitate our request," he said during a joint press conference with Budi Karya in Parliament lobby today.
Loke noted that flights to some Indonesian destinations have yet to resume since they were halted at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
He cited flights to Kota Acheh as an example where Indonesia is keen to see it resume immediately and will convey this request to low-cost carrier AirAsia.
Loke also said that the roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry service project between Dumai in Riau province and Melaka is expected to take off next year.
He noted the project would allow vehicles to be ferried between Melaka and Dumai.
Meanwhile, Budi Karya said his visit to meet Loke comes in the wake of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent meeting with Indonesian president Joko Widodo.
He said that better air and maritime connectivity between the two countries would help spur economic and tourism sectors.
