AirBorneo must put Sabahans, Sarawakians before international expansion, says activist

Peter John Jaban

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 6: AirBorneo should focus on fixing East Malaysia’s long-standing airfare and connectivity challenges before expanding overseas, says Sarawak rights activist Peter John Jaban.

Describing air transport as a critical public utility for Sabahans and Sarawakians, he said the airline must adopt a “Borneo-First” approach that prioritises affordable travel and domestic accessibility.

While commending Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the Sarawak government for establishing AirBorneo, Peter John said the airline’s core mission must remain centred on serving the people of Sabah and Sarawak first.

“AirBorneo is far more than a commercial aviation venture. It is a vital act of economic autonomy and a strategic investment in the long-term development of Sarawak and the wider Borneo region,” he said in a statement today.

According to Peter John, the urgency of the airline’s rollout has become more apparent amid an unprecedented surge in demand for air travel across Borneo, driven by Sarawak’s rapid economic growth.

He pointed to expansion in the State’s energy sector, industrial development in Bintulu, growth in digital economy infrastructure, and increasing foreign investments as factors contributing to higher passenger traffic within and into the region.

“Business leaders, technical experts, professionals and families are moving within and into the region at a volume never seen before,” he said.

However, he argued that East Malaysians continue to bear the burden of costly and unpredictable airfares despite the growing demand.

“Because we are geographically dependent on air travel, our people are being penalised by fluctuating, excessive airfares driven by market forces that treat our skies purely as profit centres.

“For a geographically isolated and dispersed population, air transport is not a luxury—it is a critical public utility, just like our roads, bridges and digital grids,” he said.

Peter John further said AirBorneo must therefore prioritise domestic connectivity and affordability before pursuing international opportunities.

While acknowledging the long-term economic potential of routes linking Kuching with Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara and other destinations in Kalimantan, he stressed that the airline should not lose sight of its founding purpose.

“Before looking across borders, the airline must secure domestic accessibility and social justice in air travel for Sarawakians and Sabahans,” he said.

He added that affordable and stable airfares are essential to ensuring East Malaysians are not prevented from travelling home for important family, cultural and religious occasions.

“Our people deserve fair, stable and affordable air travel throughout the year. Nobody should be priced out of returning home for vital cultural, religious and family celebrations due to corporate price-gouging.

“National integration and economic resilience cannot be achieved if our own citizens remain grounded by financial barriers,” he said.

Peter John further described the current spike in travel demand as evidence of strong demand for a dedicated regional carrier that places local interests at the forefront.

“The current surge in travel demand is proof that the market is starved for a dedicated, localised carrier. AirBorneo must step into this gap immediately to serve the economic and social interests of its own people first,” he said.

He urged the government to accelerate the airline’s operational rollout, saying Sarawak’s economic progress should translate into greater mobility, fairer airfares and stronger connectivity for Sabahans and Sarawakians. — DayakDaily