Source: DayakDaily / Sarawak Ministry of Transport

The Sarawak Ministry of Transport will send an official request to the federal side to speed up approval for the proposed Kuching-Putussibau bus service.

Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the route is meant to improve links between Sarawak and West Kalimantan through the Lubok Antu-Nanga Badau entry point.

Why it matters

Operators from both sides, Biaramas Express from Sarawak and DAMRI from Indonesia, have indicated they are ready to start.

Lee said the route could support tourism, medical tourism, trade and cross-border economic activity.

He also said the current Putussibau-Pontianak overland trip takes about 20 hours, while using the Lubok Antu-Nanga Badau and Tebedu-Entikong route could cut travel time by more than half.

Kuching as a transit hub

The ministry also sees Kuching becoming a regional transit point, linking flights through Kuching International Airport with land travel into Kalimantan.

Location: Kuching, Lubok Antu and Putussibau
Details: Sarawak is asking for faster federal approval for a proposed cross-border bus route.

Source: DayakDaily

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