Indonesia’s Consul General hopes Sarawak-Kalimantan trade will continue to grow

KUCHING (March 18): Indonesia’s Consul General in Kuching Dr Abdullah Zulkifli hopes trade between Sarawak and Kalimantan will continue to grow in line with strengthening economic cooperation between the two regions.

He said Sarawak holds strategic importance for Indonesia as it shares a land border of over 1,000 kilometres with various Kalimantan provinces, making it a key gateway for bilateral relations.

“People-to-people ties between Sarawak and Indonesia have existed for a long time, with close cultural links between communities on both sides of the border,” he said.

He was speaking during a breaking-of-fast hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching with members of the media on Tuesday.

Abdullah said connectivity between Kuching and Pontianak has improved with flights operating up to twice daily alongside land and water transport options.

He said due to this, the consulate continues to promote economic cooperation between Sarawak and Indonesia, highlighting existing collaborations in areas such as energy and connectivity.

“Sarawak Energy Berhad currently exports electricity to Kalimantan, and has also invested in energy development projects in North Kalimantan.

“I am also optimistic that economic cooperation, particularly in key sectors such as forestry and agricultural commodities in Kalimantan, will continue to expand and complement Sarawak’s strengths,” he said.

Abdullah also voiced support for the vision of a Borneo Economic Community as proposed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during the Indonesian Economic Summit in February.

Meanwhile, he revealed that about 145,000 Indonesian nationals are currently registered as working in Sarawak, with the majority employed in the plantation sector.

This, he said, shows that Sarawak is a preferred employment destination for Indonesians.

“Others are involved in manufacturing and also in high-skilled sectors such as academia, including Indonesian students pursuing their studies here,” he added.

Apart from employment, he also said Sarawak, particularly Kuching, has also become a preferred medical destination for Indonesians, especially those from Kalimantan and Jakarta.

On the role of the consulate, he emphasised that its main priority is to provide services and protection for Indonesian citizens in Sarawak.

“We provide assistance to our citizens, including legal support for those facing issues, as well as documentation services such as passports and immigration matters,” he said.