Sibu: DAP Sarawak has questioned the GPS state government’s aviation priorities after AirBorneo announced new direct flights from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, while the long-awaited direct Sibu–Kuching route remains absent.
DAP Sarawak Committee Member Stanley Chiew welcomed the expansion of Sarawak’s aviation network, saying the new routes would improve connectivity, but argued that the state-owned airline had failed to prioritise one of Sarawak’s most important intra-state routes.
“Why has it been able to introduce new domestic and international routes within such a short period, yet has still failed to prioritise direct flights between Sibu and Kuching.
“While travelling from Kuching to Peninsular Malaysia and overseas is becoming increasingly convenient, the people of Sibu are still unable to enjoy the same level of convenience through Sarawak’s own airline when travelling to their own state capital. This raises the question of whether Sibu has been sidelined in Sarawak’s aviation development plans,” he said in a statement.
Chiew pointed out that Sibu, as the largest city in central Sarawak, serves not only as a major commercial, educational, healthcare, and transportation hub, but also as the gateway to Kapit, Sarikei, Mukah, and Bintulu.
“Demand for travel between Sibu and Kuching has always been high, whether for government business, commercial activities, education, or medical referrals,” he said.
He noted that major healthcare facilities, including the Sarawak Heart Centre and the upcoming Sarawak Cancer Centre in Kota Samarahan, are located in Kuching, making efficient air links vital for residents of central Sarawak.
“Yet today, passengers travelling from Sibu to Kuching on AirBorneo still have to transit or make stopovers. A journey with an actual flight time of only about 35 to 40 minutes can end up taking three to four hours or even longer, resulting in unnecessary time and financial costs,” he said.
He also questioned AirBorneo’s pricing, noting that direct Kuching–Kuala Lumpur flights cost RM375 and Kuching–Singapore flights start at RM399, while connecting Sibu–Kuching fares can exceed RM600.
“When it is easier and cheaper to fly overseas than to your own state capital, the public has every reason to question the route planning,” he said.
Chiew urged the Sarawak government and AirBorneo to expedite direct Sibu–Kuching services and to consider direct routes from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, saying balanced regional development must be reflected in aviation planning and that equal connectivity must be ensured for all parts of Sarawak.
