PONTIANAK: More than half a million people from West Kalimantan travelled to Sarawak overland last year.
Malaysian Consul in Pontianak Azizul Zekri Abd Rahim said 80 per cent of those who visited the state sought medical and healthcare services.
According to him, this shows the two countries have a very good collaboration in terms of tourism.
“In 2022, we recorded great success through a four-day tourism promotion programme with the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) in Sarawak.
“Last year, more than half a million people from West Kalimantan went to Sarawak using the land route and 80 per cent of them came to get medical and healthcare services,” he said.
He said this during a meeting with the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Kuching and a delegation in Kota Pontianak, last night.
He explained that Indonesians choose Sarawak for medical and health care purposes due to the quality of services offered.
“In addition to the lower cost factor of using the land route.
“What’s more, there is now a direct bus service (Pontianak-Kuching) which is very convenient, in addition to travel agents who offer transport such as vans.”
The meeting was also attended by KJRI Economic Consul in Kuching, T. Satrio Nugroho.
