KUCHING: The Sarawak government has kept the door open for potential collaboration with Sabah in AirBorneo, the state airline set to begin operations next year.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sabah is welcome to participate should its government decide to take up equity in the airline.
“Initially, both Sarawak and Sabah were expected to hold shares in the airline. However, when we took over the company, the Sabah government requested to defer its involvement.
“Still, the door remains open if they wish to come on board as shareholders in AirBorneo,” he said when met by the media after launching AFFIN’s Sarawak Regional Office and Hikmah Exchange Branch here today.
Abang Johari stressed that the decision rests with Sabah, adding that Sarawak has no intention of interfering in its neighbour’s affairs.
“So, it’s entirely up to them. If they choose not to collaborate, then AirBorneo will be wholly owned by Sarawak.
“There is no issue here, only the spirit of cooperation,” he said.
Previously, Abang Johari had said that Sarawak had invited Sabah to join hands in its new state-owned airline, AirBorneo. He said that Sarawak has already invested capital to establish the airline and continues to welcome Sabah as a strategic partner.
He added that Sarawak’s openness to share this initiative with Sabah is reflected in the very name of the airline — AirBorneo.
