Linking the Two Malaysias

Inspired by Kristen Grady in her interactive map of flights over New York City, I have the idea of creating a roughly similar map of flights connecting two regions that made-up Malaysia. Obviously, I am yet to apply and master some of her methods in creating the smooth visual image. But, I just give it a try using my own way for now.

The map above was produced by obtaining coordinates of all domestic flight routes that occurred between the two regions of the country on Wednesday, 22nd July 2015. The flight routes coordinates were obtained from flightaware.com. I compressed the flight routes happening within 24 hours into just 60 seconds, revealing patterns of how important air travel is in linking both regions. 20 years ago, perhaps a similar map like this may show significantly less flights. Air travel can cost a fortune in 1990s. A one-way airline ticket for a 1,600 km, 2.5 hour flight from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur was RM600 one-way. That easily cost a month of salary for many back then.

Unlike the neighbouring archipelagic nations of Indonesia and the Philippines, sea travel between two regions of Malaysia is not a viable option. The distance covered is just too great and that requires traversing the waters of Indonesia. But, that is not to say that alternative option wasn't tried. Ferry services was promoted starting in 1986 as a cheaper alternative for the masses to travel between two regions. It was part of a national integration strategy that was (and still is) an increasingly important agenda for the federal government.

The sea travel service was popularly known as 'Feri Malaysia' using a Finnish made ferry vessel that can accommodate up to 650 passengers and 240 cars. The one-way service took 7 days if the journey began from Kota Kinabalu to Port Klang. The service lasted until 1997 owing to losses and unpopularity with the public due to long duration endured during journey. Four years later, AirAsia became the first low cost airline in the country and in Asia to offer cheaper air travel to the masses. The entrance of low cost airlines in connecting both regions in the country is proven to be more successful in enabling millions to travel between two regions than travel by ferry, where it is cheap enough for the masses to travel on air at almost the speed of sound.