KUCHING: Sarawak’s public transportation services has received a shot in the arm with the launch of Mutiara Borneo Sdn Bhd’s premium coach service, featuring a fleet of brand-new double-deck coaches.
The launch officiated by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin at Pullman Kuching here on Tuesday (July 14) was attended by senior government officials, industry leaders, business partners and representatives from the transportation ecosystem.
Lee said the investment is aligned with the state government’s vision of building a modern, efficient and sustainable public transport network under the Post-Covid Development Strategy 2030, pointing to the completion of more sections of the Pan Borneo Highway and the construction of 21 major bridges as key enablers of better connectivity.
Lee suggested that long-distance operators consider adding toilet facilities and reclining executive or VIP-style seating on their buses, saying this would give passengers a more comfortable option and position bus travel as a genuine alternative to flying.
“I do receive complaints from passengers because there are no toilet facilities. Sometimes they feel very uncomfortable, especially when your stop is too far away,” he said, adding that reclining executive seats on the upper deck could allow passengers to sleep during long journeys.
Mutiara Borneo managing director Hamdin Morsidi said the company aims to address the growing demand for safe, comfortable and reliable long-distance bus services in a state where vast distances separate major cities and towns, noting that challenging road conditions in the past had resulted in many express buses being older, second-hand vehicles.
“The introduction of our brand-new premium 45-seat double-deck coaches means that passengers can now enjoy exceptional comfort with ergonomic reclining seats and generous legroom in an exclusive 2+1 seating configuration on the upper deck,” he said.
Mutiara Borneo plans to expand its fleet with an additional 10 single-deck MAN coaches to serve the Kuching-Tebedu route, with Pontianak as the eventual destination, and also intends to extend services from Miri to Limbang via Brunei.
MAN Truck & Bus (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Marc Appelt said the launch marks the return of the MAN brand to Sarawak after the company sold a respectable number of trucks in the state through a local dealer network in the early 2000s.
The company currently operates daily trips connecting Kuching, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri.
