LUBOK ANTU: A proposed cross-border bus service linking Kuching and Putussibau in West Kalimantan via the Lubok Antu–Nanga Badau Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex is expected to strengthen connectivity between Sarawak and Indonesia, while stimulating tourism, trade, medical travel and other cross-border economic activities.
Minister for Transport Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the proposal is currently being fine-tuned following a working visit to the ICQS Lubok Antu to assess the readiness of its facilities and gather feedback from relevant agencies and bus operators on the implementation of the new service.
Citing information from Indonesian Consul in Kuching Musa Derek Sairwona, Lee said the current overland journey from Putussibau to Pontianak takes approximately 20 hours.
“However, if the route via the Lubok Antu–Nanga Badau ICQS and Tebedu–Entikong ICQS is utilised, travel time is expected to be reduced by more than half, providing commuters with a faster and more efficient alternative,” he told reporters after the site visit on Monday (Aug 3), as reported by UKAS.
Lee said the ministry also sees significant potential in positioning Kuching as a regional transit hub that integrates air and land transportation between Sarawak and Indonesia.
He noted that with the existing direct flights between Kuching and Jakarta, as well as AirBorneo’s future participation, the proposed cross-border bus service would further enhance the region’s transport connectivity.
“Travellers from Indonesia will be able to connect through Kuching International Airport to various destinations, while passengers arriving in Kuching can continue their journey to Kalimantan using the cross-border bus service.”
He added that the two designated bus operators — Biaramas Express from Sarawak and Indonesia’s DAMRI — have indicated their readiness to begin operations once all the necessary approvals are secured.
To facilitate the project’s implementation, Lee said the Ministry for Transport will submit an official request to the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to expedite the approval process for the proposed cross-border bus route.
