Batik Air to commence KL-Sibu route on Feb 8

KUCHING: The Batik Air Malaysia airline is expected to begin its new routes between Kuala Lumpur and Sibu on February 8, 2024.

Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said that the Kuala Lumpur–Sibu flight will be operated twice daily, with the first flight to depart Sibu at 10.25 am and the second flight at 9.40 pm.

“Currently, there are two airlines operating from Kuala Lumpur to Sibu, which is AirAsia with 20 flights weekly and Malaysia Airlines with 10 flights weekly,” he said in a press statement on Saturday.

Recently, on December 28, 2023 Lee made a work visit to the headquarters of Batik Air Malaysia in Ara Damansara, Kuala Lumpur to establish a close rapport and strong relationship with Batik Air Malaysia management team and to support their presence and sustainability in Sarawak. 

Lee then said that he also requested Batik Air to fly between Kuala Lumpur-Miri.

“Previously, Malindo Air was flying between Kuala Lumpur-Miri. With increasing oil and gas business activities in Miri following Shell moving its headquarters from Kuala Lumpur to Miri, there will be more business travels. Furthermore, Petros through its contractor has also started drilling activities on land in Miri,” he added.

He also invited CEO of Batik Air Malaysia, Captain Mushafiz Mustafa and the Batik Air team to Sarawak to further discuss on other collaborations in developing the aviation industry in Sarawak which includes international air connectivity.

In another visit, on December 29, Lee and his delegation also paid a courtesy call on  the new Road Transport Department (RTD) director-general in Putrajaya Datuk Rospiagos Taha, who was appointed to the post in July 2023.

“Among the matters discussed were on road safety advocacy, enforcement, service delivery, digitalisation and the initiatives taken by the federal and Sarawak government in developing the land transport and logistics industry in the state.

“I also voiced out the issues raised by the Sarawak Bus Association, which includes the issuance of Class E Driving Licence, approval authority and PUSPAKOM services.

“The issues on students without valid motorbike driving licence were also raised, as it concerns the safety of the students and other road users,” he said.

Accompanying Lee during the visit were permanent secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Datuk Alice Jawan; acting deputy permanent secretary, Tiong King Wei and Head of Aviation, Zulkarnain Rosli.

Lee (fourth left) receives a momento from Mushafiz (centre), while Alice (third left) and others look on.