Positive progress made towards resuming Kuching-Pontianak direct flights, says S’wak Transport Minister

KUCHING (Sept 5): Positive progress has been made in efforts to revive the direct flight route between Kuching and Pontianak, according to Sarawak’s Minister for Transport, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

Lee provided this update after he, along with his delegation, conducted a working visit to Pontianak and Singkawang in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, on Sept 1-4.

The delegation was accompanied by Indonesia’s Consul General in Kuching, Raden Sigit Witjaksono, and Malaysia’s Consul General to Pontianak, Azizul Zekri Abd Rahim.

“The purpose of this visit was to discuss strengthening transportation connectivity between Sarawak and West Kalimantan,” said Lee.

During the visit, the Sarawak delegation paid courtesy calls on the Acting Governor of West Kalimantan Dr Harisson MK, the Acting Mayor of Pontianak Ani Sofian, and the Acting Regional Secretary of Singkawang Aulia Candra.

They also formally submitted a request to resume direct flights between Kuching and Pontianak.

Harisson responded positively to the request, expressing his support and commitment to bringing the matter to the attention of Indonesia’s central government to facilitate the resumption of the flights.

Lee noted that there were direct flights between Kuching and Pontianak before the Covid-19 pandemic, but were suspended due to travel restrictions.

He expressed hope that the flights would be reinstated soon.

“This request is not only from Sarawak but also from the people of Pontianak,” Lee added.

He shared that during his visit, a local elected representative from Pontianak also emphasized the desire for the resumption of direct flights.

Lee further mentioned that in a dialogue with Harisson and other officials from relevant departments, both sides unanimously agreed to convey the request to the Indonesian central government, reflecting strong support for the initiative from both Sarawak and West Kalimantan.

Lee also visited the Supadio Airport in Pontianak and the new Singkawang Airport.

It is understood that there are six cities with airports in Kalimantan.

Lee said he hoped that in the future Sarawak-owned airlines would have the opportunity to fly to the six Kalimantan cities in Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, Lee also visited the local bus company Damri.

During the visit, he raised the issue of the buses plying between Singkawang and Kuching.

He said that currently, Kuching-Singkawang bus passengers have to disembark at the border and walk across the border to transfer to another bus to their destination, which is causing them inconveniences.

He hoped that approvals could be granted by both the Malaysian and Indonesian governments buses to travel directly without the need to transit or passengers disembark to transfer buses.

Le said he had brought up this issue to Federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke early this year when they met in Putrajaya.

On the Indonesian government side, the Consul General of Indonesia in Kuching said that the route had been approved for the buses to ply point to point, and is now only waiting for Malaysian government approval.

Meanwhile, Lee and his entourage also visited the new Kijing International Port in Mempawah.

Members of the entourage include Sarawak Deputy Transport Ministers Datuk Dr Jerip Susil and Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) Sarawak chairperson Cornelia Wong, and Strategic Planning Officer from Ministry of Transport Malaysia Voon Miaw Thin.