KUCHING: Sarawak airline, AirBorneo, will collaborate with the Royal Brunei Airlines to improve air connectivity across the Borneo region.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the move follows the announcement of East Kalimantan as host of the Borneo Games 2027.
“I believe that by 2027, Sarawak will already have its own airline, and we will be flying directly to Samarinda,” he said in his speech at the closing ceremony of the Borneo Games 2025 held at the Penview Convention Centre on Sunday night.
He said the success of organising the Borneo Games will continue to grow in the coming years.
“On behalf of Sarawak, I thank our friends from across Borneo for their contributions in making the Borneo Games 2025 a success.
“What matters most is the strong ties we share among athletes across the region. Secondly, the games allow us to measure the standard of our athletes here in Borneo.
“Thirdly, we hope that one day, Bornean athletes will shine on the global stage in events such as the SEA Games, Commonwealth Games, and even the Olympic Games.
“This is our shared hope – not only to strengthen friendship and understanding but also to foster solidarity among us on the island of Borneo,” he said.
Abang Johari also welcomed the proposal by Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, to extend invitations to other countries to participate in future editions of the Games.
Earlier in his speech, Abdul Karim said that future organisers and committees of the Borneo Games could consider inviting other regions within or outside of Borneo to join.
From a sporting perspective, he said, opening the Games to wider participation would create stronger competition for athletes and, in turn, help improve their preparation and performance.