SANDAKAN: Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir has called for the immediate introduction of direct international flights to Sandakan to boost the tourism industry and the local economy in Sabah’s east coast.
He said Sandakan is already well-known as an eco-tourism destination with major attractions such as the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Gomantong Caves, marine life-rich islands and tropical rainforests recognised as global treasures.
“I was very encouraged by the remarks of the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, who said that Sandakan’s tourism products are entirely nature-based.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“Next year we will celebrate Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Unfortunately, Sandakan has not been prioritised from the beginning of this year as a tourism hub,” he said.
Suhaimi said he had raised this matter during the winding-up session of the State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister at the First Meeting of the Fifth Term of the 16th Sabah State Assembly.
The Sabah Umno Information Chief also emphasised that Sandakan’s main weakness lies in its limited flight connectivity, noting that flights from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan remain too few.
“Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan are only twice daily, even though nearly half the passengers on board are tourists.
“More worrying is that Sandakan still does not have direct international flights, making it difficult for foreign tourists to come here.
“In 2018, Sandakan was already allocated for direct international flights, but until today this has not been realised. I want to know what plans the State Government and Ministry have to ensure this truly becomes a reality,” he said.
Suhaimi said introducing direct international flights to Sandakan was crucial as it would not only open wider access to international tourism markets but also boost economic opportunities for the people on Sabah’s east coast.
“Sandakan must be made the main gateway for tourists entering the east coast of Sabah.
“I urge the State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, together with the Transport of Malaysia Ministry, to act immediately to ensure direct international flights to Sandakan are established in the near future,” he said.
