AirBorneo to start flying jet planes in July next year, Singapore as first overseas destination

KUCHING, Dec 5 2025: Sarawak-owned airlines AirBorneo will start flying jet planes in July next year for its overseas operation.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says AirBorneo will also fly to Korea and Japan 

Premier Abang Johari Openg also said with the acquisition of jet planes, AirBorneo will fly to Singapore as the first overseas destination in the Asean region.

“The Singapore government has agreed for AirBorneo to fly Singapore,” he said at the 53^rd anniversary dinner of the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) here tonight.

“I was in Singapore the other day with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Singapore Transport Minister then asked me if it was true that we were going to operate new airlines, and I said “yes”, that is true.

“I then said we want to fly to Singapore.

“I asked if we could fly to Singapore, then the prime minister (Lawrence Wong) answered he wanted AirBorneo to fly to Singapore,” Abang Johari said.

The premier said AirBorneo will not only fly to Singapore, but also to Korea and Japan.

The transition of MASwings to AirBorneo will be completed by the end of this year.

In 2023, the Sarawak government announced its intention to acquire MASwings to establish a state-owned airline.

The acquisition was formally completed on January 13, 2025, followed by a signing ceremony on  February 12, 2025, during which the airline’s rebranding as AirBorneo was officially introduced.

The rebranding is expected to take effect on January 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, infrastructure readiness and the integration of its workforce and fleet.

As part of its rebranding to AirBorneo, the airline will evolve into a full-service carrier, expanding its offerings to include regional, domestic and international flights.

Despite the change in ownership to the Sarawak government, the federal government will continue to subsidise the RAS programme in Sabah and Sarawak.

MASwings is a subsidiary of the Malaysian Aviation Group.

Minister says many aviation professional Sarawakians, formerly with major airlines, now working at AirBorneo

KUCHING, Dec 5 2025: With AirBorneo’s official launch fast approaching, Minister for Transport Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin, made a visit  to the airline’s headquarters today — a gesture that delighted staff and boosted morale during this critical phase of preparation.

Caption: Transport Minister Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin talking to staff of AirBorneo at its headquarters 

Employees, many of whom have been working tirelessly day and night, expressed their surprise and gratitude for the minister’s unexpected presence.

His visit provided a strong sense of encouragement as the team pushes forward to meet the airline’s launch timeline.

 Lee said he was particularly heartened to see many Sarawakians including former aviation professionals who previously served with major airlines both domestically and internationally choosing to return home to contribute their expertise to AirBorneo.

“I am truly proud to see Sarawak talents with strong aviation backgrounds coming back from various parts of Malaysia and even abroad to join this mission,” he said.

“Your decision to return and help build our own airline reflects deep commitment and love for our beloved Sarawak,” he said, emphasising that these individuals are not merely employees, but pioneers.

“You are the pioneers of Sarawak’s aviation future. You are the ones helping to write a new chapter in our aviation history. Years from now, when Sarawak’s airline grows, people will look back and remember that you were here at the beginning,” he added.

He expressed appreciation for the strong commitment demonstrated by AirBorneo’s management and staff, many of whom have been working day and night to ensure a smooth and timely rollout.

In briefings with the management team, Lee reviewed the airline’s final operational preparations, including safety compliance, crew readiness, ground operations, and customer service systems.

He commended their professionalism and dedication, noting that the success of AirBorneo depends on the continued commitment of its people.

He also reminded the team that safety, reliability, and service excellence must remain the highest priorities, as these form the foundation of public confidence in the airline.

AirBorneo, formerly MASwings and now transitioning under Sarawak’s ownership, is gearing up for its official launch in next month.

The airline aims to enhance rural air services, improve intercity connectivity, and support Sarawak’s broader development strategies under Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).

The minister’s visit concluded with words of encouragement and a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to working closely with AirBorneo to ensure a successful launch.

 

 

"Abang Johari Openg is a reformist" - Governor says at the launch of the book "Abang Johari: Sarawak's First Premier"

KUCHING, Dec 5 2025: Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar today graced the launch of “Abang Johari: Sarawak’s First Premier” - a political biography of Premier Abang Johari Openg authored by Professor Michael Leigh.

Caption: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah (right) handing over a copy of "Abang Johari: Sarawak's First Premier to Abang Johari Openg as Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar watches 

 Speaking at the launch, Wan Junaidi said the life and leadership of Abang Johari reflects a journey marked by vision, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to Sarawak’s progress.

“Throughout his tenure, he has strengthened our economic strategies, championed digital transformation, and pursued greater autonomy in managing our resources,” he said.

He said the premier’s initiatives to expand connectivity, uplift rural communities, and diversify the economy demonstrate his determination to build a resilient and modern Sarawak.

He said his relationship with Abang Johari extends over many years, adding:”We have walked the same political path and served together, sharing responsibilities in governance.

“Through these experiences, I have come to know him personally, as a colleague of integrity, a leader of steady temperament, and a man deeply committed to public service.  

“Long before he assumed the office of Premier, I had observed his calm, deliberate approach to decision-making and his consistent sense of duty to the people,” he said.

Wan Junaidi described Abang Johari as a reformist, saying that his  contributions, however, are recognised not only within Sarawak or Malaysia, but also acknowledged beyond the shores.

Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah, in his speech, said that the Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) undertook  the biography because the story of the  premier is, in many ways, the story of  Sarawak’s modern transformation.

“This book stands as a gesture of  appreciation from the Dayak community to  the premier for his continuous support  and enduring commitment to our people,” he added.

He said he believes that the book offers the public  meaningful insights into Abang Johari’s experiences and  principles - insights that have contributed to  the strong, politically stable, harmonious, and  flourishing Sarawak we know today.

“We are confident that this biography will  stand as a lasting legacy,”he said, adding that DCF believes that  the premier’s experiences and leadership  deserve to be accurately and  respectfully recorded, in order to honour  and permanently preserve his monumental  contributions within Sarawak’s rich history.

He said Abang Johari is widely recognised as a  highly respected statesman, renowned  both locally and internationally for his  visionary leadership.  

“He is a man of integrity, compassion, and  wisdom, and a steadfast advocate of  inclusive and progressive governance.

“DCF seeks to ensure that the  contributions of Abang Jo are chronicled  with accuracy, depth, and critical insight, thereby preserving an authoritative  account of a leader whose impact will  continue to shape Sarawak for generations to  come,” he stressed.

Uggah said he first came to know Abang Johari in 1978  through Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), where they organised  various activities and events together.

“Since  then, I have regarded the premier as  my mentor,” he said.

“ Over the years, we learned, served, and  advanced under the same leadership and  within the same party, consistently  navigating challenges and working diligently  to strengthen, build, and unite our political  movement.

“Since 2017, I have had the privilege of  serving in the Cabinet under his leadership,” Uggah said, adding that under Abang Johari’s stewardship, Sarawak stands  tall, charting a bold new economic  direction, including the establishment of the  Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund, the  embrace of digital transformation, and  significant progress in renewable and green  energy.”