AIRBORNEO CARRIES SARAWAK'S WISH FOR BETTER ASEAN CONNECTIVITY - ABANG JOHARI

KUCHING, April 25 (Bernama) -- Sarawak’s very own airline, AirBorneo, which is scheduled to commence operation next year, carries the state’s aspiration to enhance regional connectivity among the ASEAN nations, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said.

He said the move to run its own airline is one of the state’s efforts to strengthen regional collaboration with fellow ASEAN members, particularly to boost trade, investment, and tourism by leveraging its strategic location, abundant resources, and cultural ties to drive regional growth and uplift livelihoods.

“In line with our aspirations for regional connectivity, Sarawak is proud to announce the upcoming launch of our airline, AirBorneo, scheduled to commence operations in 2026,” he said in his speech at the 33rd ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting’s gala dinner here last night. 

The text of the speech was read out by his deputy, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

Abang Johari also said that their commitment to enhance air connectivity would make travelling and doing business with major and capital cities across ASEAN faster and easier. 

He said that the development of a new international airport, and also a deep-sea port in Tanjung Embang, Kota Samarahan, would transform Sarawak into a regional aviation and marine hub.

This will improve air and sea connectivity while increasing the state’s appeal to the business community, investors and tourists, he added.

Abang Johari said Sarawak could also play a vital role in strengthening the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), which is a subregional initiative to complement ASEAN's broader economic integration agenda.

“Our shared land borders with Brunei Darussalam and Kalimantan, Indonesia, open doors for cross-border economic development through strategic initiatives.

“The relocation of Indonesia's capital city to Kalimantan will generate significant economic spillover effects for Borneo Island, creating new opportunities for investment, trade, and infrastructure development,” he said. 

The dinner was also attended by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. 

The ongoing ASCC Council Meeting is a biannual ministerial-level gathering focused on addressing key socio-cultural issues across the ASEAN region.

This year’s meeting, from April 22 to 26, welcomed representatives from all 11 ASEAN nations, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.

-- BERNAMA