Abd Karim: Trans-Nusantara Expedition to shed light on transformation of transport, cross-border system for S’wak

KUCHING (Aug 10): The Trans-Nusantara Expedition will raise awareness about the major transformation of the transport and cross-border system that lies ahead for Sarawak.

Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the innovation and partnership between the public and private sectors and internationally across borders  will be critical ingredients in this effort.

“The expedition will be a platform for Malaysia and Indonesia to make meaningful connections that can spark new ideas and collaborations especially in the areas of tourism and social economic activities.

“This year marks a significant time in history of the BIMP-EAGA region as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines collaborate towards cross-border bilateral ties and inter-connectivity in transportation,” he said before flagging off the expedition at Kuching Waterfront here today.

He said Malaysia had much to learn from Indonesia’s Archipelago connectivity, which has an extensive network of 17,000 islands and is the world’s largest archipelago.

“As Indonesia is moving her capital from Jakarta to Nusantara in Kalimantan, the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia, especially Sarawak, will prosper in social and economic activities,” he said.

Abdul Karim regarded the expedition as timely, as Indonesia has planned an extensive train network linking the Borneo Island while Brunei has built the longest bridge in Southeast Asia and Malaysia is now completing the Pan-Borneo Highway, which connects Sarawak and Sabah.

The Trans Nusantara 4×4 Expedition involves overland communities from Indonesia, Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak and expedition members include those from the Indonesia Offroad Federation, Indonesia 4×4 Overland, Brunei Four Wheel Drive Association, Sabah Four Wheel Drive Association and Sarawak 4×4 Travel and Adventure Club.

The expedition is a combined effort by the Borneo Overland Expeditions and Indonesia 4×4 Overland and involves a team of 60 members and 25 4WD vehicles. Team members comprise a majority of Malaysians from Sarawak, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru while international participants are from Brunei, Singapore, Norway and Australia.

The expedition plans to visit Nusantara during the opening ceremony to be held there on Aug 17.

It will take 40 days over countless significant historical, nature and world heritage siters across the Indonesian Archipelago such as Mount Bromo, Borobudur Temple, Danau Kalimutu, Labuan Bajo, Pontianak, Mount Rinjani, Bali, Toroja Land, Komodo Islands and more.

Also present were permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datu Sherrina Husaini and event main organisers Robert Tan and Jeremy Tay.