AirBorneo to Propel Sarawak as Regional Investment and Logistics Hub

SEPANG: AirBorneo is planned as a long-term catalyst to position Sarawak as a regional investment and logistics hub, while also supporting efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s economy, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the state government’s aspiration is to establish the state as a prime investment destination, leveraging its existing strengths, particularly in renewable energy (RE).

“Our strength in terms of RE facilitates international investment to come into Sarawak,” he told reporters when asked about the long-term plans for AirBorneo here today.

Abang Johari noted that Sarawak has also been receiving substantial investments from East Asia, including Japan and Korea.

Additionally, he said the World Economic Forum has recognised Bintulu as an emerging new industrial cluster, specifically a low-carbon industrial cluster.

“So this means that with the investments we are receiving in Sarawak, we must also provide the necessary logistics for investors in Sarawak,” he said.

Touching on AirBorneo’s development model, Abang Johari said the state government is looking at Dubai’s experience in developing Emirates as a potential reference.

He said Dubai, in the mid-1970s, served merely as a transit hub with a relatively small airport, until the government there shifted its approach, using Singapore as a model and establishing Emirates.

“Emirates offered very competitive fares. I believe there was a cross-subsidisation between Emirates and government agencies, which enabled Dubai to grow through Emirates,” he said.

“So, in Sarawak, hopefully, we have the financial strength from our revenue to possibly adopt a similar approach,” he added.

He stated that with Sarawak’s resources, the state government hopes to position the state as a driver of Malaysia’s economy.

Additionally, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government also aims to make the state the “Bavaria of Malaysia”.

“If Bavaria is a significant region in Germany, we also want Sarawak to be like Bavaria – having its own robust economy and further strengthening the national economy through Sarawak’s inherent strengths,” he said.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof welcomed the arrival of AirBorneo Airways’ inaugural flight from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 here.

Flight MY5005 carried the Sarawak Premier, along with a delegation of Sarawak state ministers and distinguished guests.

Also present at KLIA were Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, and Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.

BERNAMA