Wings of continuity: The Old Bintulu Airport

Bintulu (July 22): In the early days of 1937, when the sun still painted the Sarawak skies with its golden hues, the British colonial administration laid the foundation for the then Bintulu Airport, in what would become the beating heart of Bintulu.

Nestled strategically between the river and the coast of the South China Sea, this airfield emerged as an essential hub for transportation and communication.

Local historian Mahmud Yussop told The Borneo Post that the airport then was unique because it was located right in the middle of Bintulu town.

He said when flight operations ceased in 2003, travel in and out of the town by air was shifted to a new location some 24 kilometres south of the town.

“Despite its small size, the old airport served Bintulu well during the first boom (1979-1983), second boom (1998-2000) and third economic boom (2003-2009),” he said.

Beyond its concrete and steel, the Old Bintulu Airport etched itself into the collective memory of locals and visitors alike.

It wasn’t just about arrivals and departures, but about reunions and farewells, whispered promises, and tearful goodbyes, he added.

“The tarmac bore witness to love stories, business ventures, and the quiet resilience of a community that thrived amidst the roar of engines.”

Memories growing up

Datu Mohidin Ishak, a civil engineer hailing from Kampung Pandan here, recalled his first flight in an airplane when he flew to Miri to study at Tanjung Lobang School in 1967.

He said each time a plane arrived or took off, the gates would be closed and people had to wait before crossing the airstrip.

“In the late afternoons or early evenings, especially on weekends, we used to run or walk the entire length of the runway to exercise,” he said.

For Dr Abdul Kuddus Ramlee, 66, the Old Bintulu Airport was more than just a runway – it was a gateway that heralded a new beginning for the town.

“The airport brought in travellers and facilitated economic growth by connecting the region to other parts of Malaysia and the world,” said the Sarawak chairman of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Malaysia.

He said when the third White Rajah of Sarawak, Sir Vyner Brooke, envisioned creating an airstrip, he settled on a former rubber garden, nestled between the Malay village and the South China Sea, as the chosen canvas.

“The airstrip was completed and began operating on Sept 1, 1955, and a De Havilland aircraft was the first to land on the newly constructed grass-surface airstrip,” he said, adding the airport included a small wooden building in the vicinity.

“I have many fond memories of the old airport. As a young boy born, bred and schooled in Bintulu, the old airport was my family’s favorite place to visit over the weekend, just to marvel at the magnificent sight of aircraft landing and taking off.

“We would sometimes wave at the planes, thinking that the passengers on board were waving back at us.”

Abdul Kuddus said the opening of the airfield was to allow commuters to cross as a short-cut between Bintulu town and the Bukit Orang area, including students cycling to and from St Anthony’s School.

“Each time there was an aircraft landing or taking off, the handymen employed would hold up a red flag to halt the entry at each end of the crossing track which ran across the airfield.”

He added the airport control centre including the firemen building were manned by local staff whom everyone was familiar with.

He said due to their position, the airport staff were held in high regard – almost celebrity-like – by the people back then, the majority of whom were Vaie Segan fishermen and Hokkien-speaking Chinese shopkeepers.

Recalling how the airport, a walking distance from his family house in the old Kampung Dagang, had transformed over the decades, Abdul Kuddus said there was a gradual shift in the type of aircraft used, from the six-seater PN2 to the Twin Pioneer, Fokker Friendship 27, and Fokker Friendship 50.

The surface of the airstrip was upgraded into bitumen in the early 1970s to cater for larger Fokker aircraft.

“There were just about four or five flights per day between Bintulu and Miri, Sibu and Kuching, operating from early morning until late afternoon. After the last flight each day, the airfield became like a very large stadium track for the local population walk, jog and cycle,” he said.

He added that whenever there was a group of pilgrims about to board the plane at the old airport on the way to Makkah for Hajj via Kuching and KL, his late father would do the Azan prayers first in the airport building.

“He was always the one chosen as he had a very strong melodious voice.”

Local prominent businessman Yek Siew Liong, 64, said growing up, he could “see, hear and feel” every airplane landing and taking off.

“My family home was less than 100 metres from the airport. We could see every passenger boarding and disembarking from the terminal building to the plane and vice versa.”

Yek said when permitted, the family would walk or cycle across the designated part of the runway to kindergarten, church meetings and school on the other side of the town.

“We often enjoyed cycling on the best track in town,” he chuckled.

Giving way to development

The old airport was officially closed when the new facility, built across Sungai Kemena, began operating in 2003.

According to Abdul Kuddus, the first large aircraft that landed at the new Bintulu Airport was a double-decker Boeing 747 carrying then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other VIPs from Kuala Lumpur for the opening ceremony.

He said since then, the old airport site has hosted numerous social and cultural events, attracting local and international visitors.

“The annual Borneo International Kite Festival held for many years now has put Bintulu on the global tourism calendar, attracting thousands of visitors. Recently, the Sarawak Agrofest 2024 was also held in the old airport grounds.

He believes the old airport, and Bintulu town itself, can play host to grander social and economic events due to its central location, more so as the town has a large O&G population with strong spending power.

“I would certainly like to see Bintulu in the near future be given a certain priority by the Sarawak government in capital and operational budget allocation considering the division’s fast population increase.

“Perhaps, the government could consider developing a large portion of the old airport acreage into a place for hawkers to operate from morning till late night to boost the local socio-economy.”

Concurring, Yek said he backs the move by the government through Bintulu Development Authority to allocate a large portion of the site for public purposes and large-scale events.

“However, seeing as the area is surrounded by roads, it may be worthwhile to consider making it more pedestrian-friendly.”

Mohidin, a former general manager of Bintulu Development Authority, said when progress beckoned, the old airport’s relocation paved the way for Bintulu’s ‘Green Lung’ – a sprawling expanse where nature and urban aspirations meet.

“The approved master plan for the area was to include roads with good landscape and a park, which is now the site for the annual Borneo International Kite Festival.

“When it was approved as a boulevard, the late (chief minister) Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said that Bintulu Boulevard would be the first boulevard in Sarawak,” said the 73-year-old.

As seen today, Mohidin said the Old Bintulu Airport site now consists of Bintulu Boulevard, forming an important part of the urban landscape and as a green area, mixed together with commercial development.

He said the boulevard – stretching some two kilometres long, is approximately the same length as the one in Paris, France.

“If Parisans enjoy their boulevard for strolling and leisurely enjoyment, the Bintuluans can also use the area as leisurely enjoyment of all sports, including as the site for the Sarawak Day 2024 celebration.”

The Old Bintulu Airport ground is the site of this year’s state-level Sarawak Day celebration, taking place today.