Touching down on an AirAsia flight here from Singapore at 2.19pm today, the 35-year-old said she had yearned to return to Kampung Entilibon, a village in the Tongod interior district, but could not do so because of the travel ban.
Huziah, who works as a kitchen assistant in Singapore, was calm and composed initially but was at a loss for words when asked by reporters to describe how she felt to finally return home after being away for so long.
“I don’t know what to tell you … it’s just sheer happiness. I’ve not been home to see my family for so long,” she said, her voice trembling.
“I just want to be with my family now because I only have two weeks before I return to Singapore.”
Huziah was among 119 passengers onboard flight AK1794, which was Sabah’s first international arrival following the border reopening on April 1.
Oil and gas manager Thomas Fung, 40, said it was “amazing” to be back after an absence of two years.
“It’s like a dream. It’s great to be home again.”
The first order of business for Fung, who hails from Inanam, located not far from the state capital, was to have a quick lunch with his family.
“After that, I want to see our mango garden before meeting up with friends.”
It was also a homecoming of sorts for Jacques Franck, from France, who said he had visited Sabah “many times” before the pandemic.
The 70-year-old said he was visiting Singapore and made it a point to return to the Land Below the Wind.
“What I miss the most about Sabah are the people and the nature,” he said as he hurried himself to the immigration counter.
Sabah assistant tourism, culture and environment minister Joniston Bangkuai, who was on hand to welcome the guests, said it was a momentous occasion as the state was receiving its first international flight after two years.
“I would like to commend AirAsia for being the first airline to open up international flights for Sabah.
“Singapore is a very important market to Sabah as it has been our focus market for many years now.
“It is also a highly important hub for Sabah as it connects our other focus markets around the world to the state,” he said.