Sarawak is considering reopening its border with Brunei

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting told the Borneo Post that the reopening of the state's border with Brunei Darussalam will help to revive the state's tourism economy.

This will be the way forward, along with domestic tourism, which will be able to resume as of Monday this week, thanks to the elimination of police permits for interstate travel.

"On the state's tourism revival plan, Sarawak would consider opening borders with Brunei Darussalam, which has maintained a low infection rate and has the virus under control," he said.

 

"By leveraging the BIMP-Eaga platform and the forthcoming Statos (Sarawak trade and tourism) office in Brunei, my ministry will continue to bring in more Bruneians to Sarawak."

Ting stated that the Tourism Ministry would keep a close check on all players to ensure that all standard operating procedures (SOPs) and regulations, including improved ventilation, are followed.

Sarawak received 1,296,017 Bruneian visitors in 2019, generating RM3.63 billion in tourist earnings and contributing 2.74 percent to the state's total gross domestic product (GDP).

 

Sarawak had 180,616 Bruneian visitors prior to the Covid-19 epidemic, which closed borders in 2020.

As a result, the tourism industry suffered as money dried up, prompting some businesses to close permanently, particularly in the border towns of Lawas, Limbang, and Miri.