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KUCHING: Sarawak is looking to improve its connectivity with Indonesia, particularly Kalimantan, through new air and land routes, says state Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.
He said the state had proposed a bus service between Kuching and Singkawang in west Kalimantan, which was currently awaiting approval from Indonesia's Transport Ministry.
Discussions were also ongoing for the resumption of the Kuching-Pontianak flight, he said.
"We have already put up our support to AirAsia, which has submitted their application (for the route).
"Now we're waiting for approval from the Transport Ministry of Indonesia," he told a press conference after welcoming AirAsia's inaugural Jakarta-Kuching flight at Kuching International Airport on Thursday (June 15).
Indonesian consul-general in Sarawak Raden Sigit Witjaksono, who was also present, said the Kuching-Pontianak flight could resume by the end of this year.
"We have brought this up to the ministries concerned and hopefully it will be realised in the near future," he said, adding that both Sarawak and Indonesia would benefit from the route.
The Kuching-Pontianak route had been suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Lee said the new Jakarta-Kuching route would serve as access to other parts of Indonesia, especially with the establishment of the country's new administrative capital Nusantara in east Kalimantan.
"We are working on air connectivity and long-term plans between Nusantara and Sarawak, including the possibility of developing a railway," he said.
With the new route, Lee said Sarawak now has 44 international flights weekly from Jakarta, Singapore and Bandar Seri Begawan.
This comprises 30 flights weekly to Kuching, 10 flights weekly to Miri and four flights weekly to Sibu.
In view of this, he appealed to Malaysia Airports Bhd and the federal Transport Ministry to expand the capacity of Kuching International Airport.
"We have more international flights coming in, so there is an urgent need for Kuching Airport to be extended and the facilities improved.
"There is already a short-term plan to expand this airport and also Miri Airport. I hope this project can take off as soon as possible to meet the increasing number of flights," he said.
