THERE has been a huge increase in the number of Indonesians visiting Sarawak, especially since its national capital is being relocated to Nusantara.
Some 653,883 visitors from Indonesia, especially from Kalimantan and Jakarta, came to Sarawak in 2024; an increase of 25 percent from the year before, said the Sarawak Tourism Board.
"We in Sarawak are seeing a big increase in the number of Indonesians coming into Sarawak.
"The main reasons for their visit to Sarawak are for tourism as well as to seek medical treatment.
"We expect to see the number increasing even further and Sarawak strengthening itself as a key destination for high quality medical and health services," the board said in a press statement.
Sarawak is going big in medical-tourism promotions in the ASEAN region.
On Feb 24, it was announced that the state government and several private investors are planning to construct two medical-tourism resorts in southern Sarawak.
Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg that day said the two sites identified are Damai resort in Santubong district and Telok Melano resort in Sematan district.
Santubong is about 30kms from Kuching city while Sematan is about 100kms from Kuching. – February 27, 2025