PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Sarawak is pushing for deeper cooperation with West Kalimantan in transport and cross-border connectivity, says Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, during his working visit here on September 12 (last Friday).
Lee, who flew in on AirAsia’s inaugural Kuching-Pontianak direct flight earlier that morning, paid a courtesy call on West Kalimantan’s Governor, Dr H. Ria Norsan.
Both sides exchanged views on expanding collaboration in land transport and aviation.
Among the key discussions was the proposal to establish direct cross-border express bus services linking Pontianak to Brunei via Sarawak, an idea welcomed by the Brunei authorities during Lee’s earlier meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan.
“This visit has reaffirmed Sarawak’s strong commitment to closer cooperation with West Kalimantan.
“From land transport and aviation to cross-border facilitation, we are building bridges that will benefit people on both sides of the border and strengthen Borneo’s regional growth,” he said.
In aviation, opportunities were explored for new routes through Indonesian carriers as well as Sarawak’s own airline, AirBorneo. Future expansions could include services to Nusantara and Balikpapan.
On border facilitation, Lee also met with Malaysian Consul in Pontianak, Azizul Zekri Abdul Rahim, who highlighted traffic congestion at the Pos Lintas Batas Negara (PLBN) Aruk checkpoint.
Solutions proposed included shift rotations during lunch breaks and extending border operating hours. Indonesia has agreed to review the matter, with updates expected at an upcoming Sosio Ekonomi Malaysia Indonesia (Sosek Malindo) meeting.
In the evening, Lee met with leaders of the local Chinese Hakka community, underscoring cultural and community exchanges that continue to strengthen people-to-people ties across the border.
Lee’s visit coincided with the resumption of direct flights between Kuching and Pontianak after a five-year suspension.
