KUCHING: The Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) believes that the opening of the Jakarta-Kuching route brings greater potential to the two neighbouring countries, said its minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.
Aside from tourism, he said more could be explored in the field of trade, commerce, investment, cultural heritage, social relations and economic prosperity between the two.
With the new Jakarta-Kuching flight, Lee said Sarawak now had 44 international flights weekly from Jakarta, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam with Kuching International Airport receiving 30 flights weekly, followed by 10 flights weekly in Miri and four flights weekly in Sibu.
He said the routes were served by Airasia Berhad, Airasia-Jakarta, Malaysia Airlines Berhad, Scoot Tigerair and Royal Brunei Airlines.
“Apart from creating business opportunities and helping in the growth of the tourism sector, it will allow tourists and travellers to explore the rich history and cultural diversity between Kuching and Jakarta.
“It functions as a bridge that fosters understanding and builds good alliance between the two cities,” he said in his speech after welcoming AirAsia’s inaugural Jakarta to Kuching flight at Kuching International Airport here today (June 15).
Also present were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Consul General of Republic of Indonesia in Kuching Raden Sigit Witjaksono, chairman of Malaysia-Indonesia Business Council Senator Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian and director of Flights Operation, Indonesia AirAsia Captain Wuri Septiawan.
Lee added that the air route would open the door to economic opportunities in various sectors in the state which would facilitate trade and investment and stimulate economic growth between the two cities.
“It is important to acknowledge that this air route will serve as an important access and a precursor to wider connectivity to other parts of Indonesia, between the two neighbouring countries, especially with the establishment of Indonesia’s new administrative capital Nusantara, in East Kalimantan.
“I would like to remind all industry stakeholders that it is our joint responsibility to promote Sarawak in strategic markets like Indonesia. Greater Jakarta alone is home to about 30 million population; We need to tap this neighbouring market not only for leisure but also medical tourism and business travellers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wuri said the new route was also a testament of AirAsia’s support towards both Indonesia and Malaysia; it was not only to accelerate the recovery of the tourism industry but also to strengthen the relationship and explore opportunities for cooperation.
“We wish to reiterate our strong and undivided commitment to providing affordable air fares alongside an extensive network to connect all of our guests, especially between Indonesia and Malaysia.
“While starting with three weekly services, we will review opportunities to expand these services in the future based on popular demand,” he said.
