Sarawak and Indonesia prioritise new highway and rail links as Nusantara capital development accelerates
KUCHING: Sarawak and Indonesia have agreed to prioritise the development of new land connections between Sarawak and Kalimantan, particularly as Indonesia’s emerging capital city of Nusantara continues its rapid expansion.
During a courtesy visit to Sarawak Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s residence in Kuching, the newly-appointed Indonesian Consul General Abdullah Zulkifli discussed the importance of these cross-border infrastructure initiatives.
According to a statement from Sarawak’s Public Communications Unit, both governments are placing significant emphasis on establishing new transboundary transport corridors.
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With Nusantara scheduled to officially become Indonesia’s capital in 2028, the proximity of Sarawak—which shares a long-standing bilateral relationship with Indonesia—positions it as a key partner in this transition.
“The development of Nusantara is expected to drive increased cross-border activity, necessitating improved land connections and enhanced electricity supply networks,” the statement noted.
Two major infrastructure projects are currently under consideration for the Sarawak-Kalimantan border region: a cross-border expressway and a trans-Borneo railway connection.
Officials highlighted the strategic advantage of the shared border. “As neighbours with a common boundary, Sarawak and Kalimantan have significant opportunities for collaborative development in the coming years.
With Nusantara’s rapid development, the border regions will experience substantial infrastructure growth,” the unit explained.
Discussions between Indonesian and Malaysian authorities regarding these Sarawak-Kalimantan border projects remain ongoing.
The Sarawak state government, in coordination with the federal government in Putrajaya, has begun planning for an expressway that would traverse the approximately 1,000-kilometre Sarawak-Kalimantan border.
Additionally, Putrajaya is exploring the construction of the Trans Borneo Railway, which would create a rail link connecting Sarawak, Sabah, and Kalimantan.
