Sarawak tourism players welcome Trans-Borneo Railway, stress careful planning

KUCHING (March 5): Tourism industry players have welcomed the proposed Trans-Borneo Railway, describing it as a positive development that could enhance connectivity and spur economic activity across Sarawak and the wider Borneo region.

However, they stressed that detailed feasibility studies and careful planning are essential before the project can materialise.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Dato Dennis Ngau voiced support for the initiative, particularly if it receives backing from the Sarawak government.

“If the state government supports this initiative, we will support it as well, especially if it brings benefits to our people,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted.

Dennis said the railway could potentially link major cities across Borneo, creating stronger regional connectivity.

“I can imagine the railway coming from Sabah through Brunei and passing Miri before continuing down to Kuching. It would mainly benefit people living along the major cities where the train passes,” he said.

While some remote areas may not directly benefit, Dennis, who is also Telang Usan assemblyman, said the wider impact would still be felt across the state.

“Areas like Telang Usan and Baram may not enjoy the Trans-Borneo Railway directly, but indirectly it will still benefit Sarawakians,” he said.

Dennis acknowledged that such a major infrastructure project would likely take years to materialise.

“This project may take years to materialise, but it is good to start planning now. It might happen in five, 10 or even 20 years,” he said.

He also urged the federal government to remain consistent in its commitment to long-term infrastructure projects.

“I hope that if the federal government makes such an announcement, they will follow through. It should not be announced because of the current political situation without anything concrete,” he said.

Dennis added that while he does not expect the project to take off soon, he hopes groundwork is already being prepared.

“I don’t expect it to be implemented soon because nothing concrete is on the ground yet, but I would be happy to be proven wrong,” he said.

Meanwhile, Association of Sarawak Inbound Agencies (Asia) chairman Philip Yong said the tourism industry welcomes new transport infrastructure that could stimulate economic activity.

“Of course we welcome new transport infrastructure in Sarawak and Sabah, as it will create more economic activities and provide more transport options,” he said, while noting that stakeholders must await the feasibility report before the project’s prospects become clearer.

Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) Acting CEO Jason Tan Chin Foo said the proposed railway could significantly benefit the business events sector.

“For the business events sector, the proposed Trans-Borneo Railway has strong potential to enhance connectivity across Borneo and further strengthen Sarawak as a regional hub for business events,” he said.

Improved connectivity, he added, could expand Sarawak’s regional reach and make travel more seamless for delegates, industry leaders, and investors.

“It would also create new opportunities for Sarawak to host larger business events, especially congresses and exhibitions, in addition to attracting more corporate meetings and incentives,” he said.

Tan emphasised that developments of this scale must be guided by comprehensive feasibility studies and careful planning to safeguard environmental sustainability and Sarawak’s long-term development priorities.