MIRI: Sarawak has again appealed to the federal government to help resolve the long-drawn problem of poor air connectivity that has hampered tourism development in the state.
Assistant Minister of Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin said good air connectivity is crucial for the success of the tourism industry as proven by Kota Kinabalu (KK), Sabah.
“Of course KK is doing well having so many direct flights overseas. It is time the federal government helps Sarawak in air connectivity,
“All we need is to start a few international flights and Miri is a very strategic location when it comes to flights to places such as China, Japan and Korea,” said Lee at the annual karaoke competition organised by ParkCity Everly Hotel, Miri (PEHM) and the Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA) on Tuesday.
Also present were PEHM general manager John Augustine and organising chairperson Jacqueline Raphael.
Lee, who is disappointed with the federal government and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) for failing to response accordingly to the repeated appeals by Sarawak for better air connectivity, also urged the media to highlight the urgent needs of the state.
He stressed that the existing four-weekly international flight to Singapore was not good enough even though the passenger load was good.
“In fact, I have been talking about air connectivity during my first term as elected representative of Miri. I raised the needs for better air connectivity for Sarawak.
“I said that on a number of occasions. When I was in the Sarawak Tourism Board I always emphasised air connectivity. I put a number of proposals to MAS and even talked to the top management in MAS.”
Lee also said that it was his New Year resolution to promote tourism in Miri City, adding that he had also suggested that the Miri City Council work with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and hoteliers to organise more international events in the city to attract international tourists.
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