A direct cross-border express bus service linking Brunei International Airport and Miri, in Malaysia’s Sarawak state, is expected to be established soon, aimed at strengthening tourism connectivity between the two countries, Borneo Post reported on August 22.
Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Miri MP Chiew Choon Man said the proposed daily service would allow Miri to leverage Brunei’s international air links while giving foreign tourists more convenient access to Northern Sarawak. The initiative was discussed during a recent meeting with Brunei’s Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, Dato Seri Setia Awang Mohammed Riza Dato Paduka Mohammed Yunos.
“Strengthening cross-border mobility, connectivity and facilitation will further encourage tourism, the economy in the region and people-to-people exchanges between our two countries,” Chiew said in a statement.
Chiew said the service would support Malaysia’s Visit Malaysia campaign, extended into 2027, as well as Visit Brunei Year 2027. He noted that Brunei International Airport already holds direct flight connections to major cities including Hong Kong, Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, Jakarta, Manila and London, and said linking the airport directly to Miri would provide convenient access for international visitors.
He cited a previous familiarisation trip involving more than 120 tourists from Hong Kong who travelled to Miri via a direct flight to Brunei, describing it as evidence of the benefits improved connectivity could bring. “The direct bus service is highly beneficial for both countries, with the ultimate goal to encourage more tourists to visit Miri and Brunei, and have a one-trip-two-countries travel experience,” he said.
Chiew said he has been engaging with transport ministries and immigration authorities in both countries to progress the proposal, and said there was further potential to include Brunei in regional cruise itineraries linking Malaysia, China and Vietnam under the BIMP-EAGA framework.
Brunei remains one of Malaysia’s top five sources of tourist arrivals, recording more than 1.5mn visits in 2025.