Malaysia

Melaka wants Indonesia to open Pekanbaru airport, seeking health tourists

CM says more than 100,000 from neighbouring country sought medical care in state in 2019

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 09 Jun 2022 6:17PM

Melaka wants Indonesia to open Pekanbaru airport, seeking health tourists
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali sees Indonesia as a big market for the state’s medical tourism industry. – Bernama pic, June 9, 2022

MELAKA – The Melaka government has requested that Indonesia immediately open the Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport in Pekanbaru, Riau in Indonesia for international flights, especially for the Melaka-Pekanbaru route, which has high demand from health tourists.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said Indonesians comprised the largest number of tourists visiting Melaka in 2019 with a total of 552,813.

“From this number, 100,234 people were health tourists from Indonesia out of a total of 136,361 foreign health tourists who sought medical treatment in Melaka

“There is big potential as Indonesia is a big market for health tourism for those seeking treatment at  the four specialist hospitals in Melaka, with the medical fees being much lower than that of hospitals in Singapore and Jakarta,” he said here today.

Earlier, Sulaiman officiated at the Melaka State Tourism Festival 2022 and Melaka For Asean Promotion Campaign in Pekanbaru, Indonesia, which was also attended by Riau governor Syamsuar.

The promotion campaign is intended to promote the state’s cheaper and attractive prices as a travel destination to Indonesians, especially from Riau.

He said the campaign offered 42 family travel packages from as low as 200,000 rupiah (RM60.36) per person per day to travel or vacation in Melaka.

“Besides this, entertainment outlets in Melaka are also offering discounts of up to 50%, as well as the buy one, get one free ticket offer during this campaign until December 31,” the chief minister said.

Meanwhile, Sulaiman wished Pekanbaru City a happy 238th birthday and congratulated leaders in the region who have succeeded in making Pekanbaru the best investment city in Indonesia for five years in a row.

“I hope with continued efforts and closer cooperation with Riau, the bilateral tourist traffic, especially to Pekanbaru, will increase the number of bilateral tourist arrivals, especially to Pekanbaru, once the two countries (Indonesia and Malaysia) revive their tourism industry,” he said. – Bernama, June 9, 2022

Related News

Malaysia / 1w

Johor state election: Will it be a test run or pre-empt a full GE?

Malaysia / 3w

UMNO hints at Melaka state polls within four months

Malaysia / 3w

KJ: Johor best arena to test BN’s strength

Malaysia / 1mth

Melaka: Student falls from roof, police deny any bullying

Malaysia / 1mth

Another case of motorcyclist killed by suspected drunk driver

Malaysia / 1mth

DAP directs machinery to be ready for possible snap elections in 3 states

Spotlight

Malaysia

Bersatu-PH tie-up a possibility as coalition seeks Malay support, analyst says

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Woman molested on her way home from work (video)

Malaysia

Court allows Daim's daughter to permanently keep passport

Malaysia

Santiago pokes holes in data centre hype, asks: Who really benefits?

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Jeweller vows to pursue Rosmah until ‘every penny’ is recovered as RM67.5m battle enters enforcement phase

Malaysia

Ambulance carrying two injured men crashes en route to hospital after MPV collision in Besut

Malaysia

Man blames 'lack of love' for sexual assault on teens

Business

BNM's OPR to stay at 2.75 pcent in 2026 amid strong domestic demand - Kenanga IB

Malaysia

Missing jewellery: Rosmah ordered to pay RM67.5 million

You may be interested

Malaysia

Johor state poll: EC prepares massive election operation for over 2.7 million eligible voters

Malaysia

PM: Students abroad should gain positive values ​​from the local community

Malaysia

Santiago pokes holes in data centre hype, asks: Who really benefits?

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Bersatu-PH tie-up a possibility as coalition seeks Malay support, analyst says

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

18 vehicles damaged after being hit by drug-positive driver

Malaysia

Scam fight enters new phase as police back MyDigital ID to combat rising online fraud

Malaysia

Two women killed after being thrown from Myvi in Batang Sadong bridge crash

Malaysia

PAS not contesting solo in Johor PRN, new political alignment formed