(Kuching, 14th) Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, told Hong Kong movie star Simon Yam that with the launch of Air Borneo next year, Sarawak will soon welcome direct international flights from places such as Hong Kong.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards (AIFFA) last night, Snowdan said that the new airline is expected to begin operations in January 2026.
He said, “Don’t worry, Simon (Yam). Soon we will have direct flights from Hong Kong, Shanghai, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and most Asian regions—anywhere reachable within six to seven hours, perhaps even including Dubai.”
“We hope that starting next year, more travelers will be able to reach Sarawak directly, without needing a connecting flight.” His statement was met with applause from the audience.
Veteran actor Simon Yam is currently in Kuching for AIFFA 2025, and he is also one of the leading personalities in this star-studded line-up.
This is not Simon Yam's first visit to Sarawak; he visited the state several decades ago, toured a longhouse, and experienced riding a longhouse canoe. Snowdan also fondly recalled this during his speech, jokingly asking Simon whether he'd like to relive that adventure.
He said, “That’s great, Simon. I hope you can experience the canoe again. However, the canoes today might not be quite the same as the one you rode thirty years ago, as things have changed a lot here.”
Speaking about AIFFA, Snowdan pointed out that the festival was the brainchild of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg when he served as tourism minister. Today, it has developed into one of the ministry’s signature events, gathering filmmakers, producers, and actors from across ASEAN.
He also suggested to AIFFA 2025 Festival Director Livan Tajang that in the future, besides the current talks and masterclass activities, a “filmmakers’ retreat” could be added.
He said, “Maybe in addition to talks and workshops, you could hold some retreat activities for filmmakers and actors as an extra supplement to the AIFFA program list.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards (AIFFA) last night, Snowdan said that the new airline is expected to begin operations in January 2026.
“We hope that starting next year, more travelers will be able to reach Sarawak directly, without needing a connecting flight.” His statement was met with applause from the audience.
Veteran actor Simon Yam is currently in Kuching for AIFFA 2025, and he is also one of the leading personalities in this star-studded line-up.
This is not Simon Yam's first visit to Sarawak; he visited the state several decades ago, toured a longhouse, and experienced riding a longhouse canoe. Snowdan also fondly recalled this during his speech, jokingly asking Simon whether he'd like to relive that adventure.
He said, “That’s great, Simon. I hope you can experience the canoe again. However, the canoes today might not be quite the same as the one you rode thirty years ago, as things have changed a lot here.”
Speaking about AIFFA, Snowdan pointed out that the festival was the brainchild of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg when he served as tourism minister. Today, it has developed into one of the ministry’s signature events, gathering filmmakers, producers, and actors from across ASEAN.
He also suggested to AIFFA 2025 Festival Director Livan Tajang that in the future, besides the current talks and masterclass activities, a “filmmakers’ retreat” could be added.
He said, “Maybe in addition to talks and workshops, you could hold some retreat activities for filmmakers and actors as an extra supplement to the AIFFA program list.”