KUCHING: DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen should take up the issue of costly airfares with his party leader Anthony Loke who is the nation’s Transport Minister.
In making the suggestion, the Premier’s chief political secretary Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman reminded him that the matter comes under the purview of the Transport Minister.
“I am perplexed as to why he did not simply reach out to his federal counterpart as it would have been easier to do so given his personal connections to the minister, coming from the same party,” he said.
“The question that must be asked is why wouldn’t he trust his own boss and instead, urge the Sarawak government to intervene?,” he questioned in a statement today (Sept 1).
Fazzrudin was referring to Chong urging the Sarawak government to address rising flight ticket prices.
In the same vein he took note of the interest by Chong on Sarawak government’s proposed takeover of MASwings.
This shows that there is support, even from the opposition for Sarawak to have its own airline due to pressing needs in air connectivity, he said.
“This is despite several DAP Sarawak leaders, prior to this, questioning the proposal and its viability despite the recurring issues affecting flights to Sarawak,” he said.
He went on to say that as the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had announced back in April, the acquisition of MASwings was in the discussion stage on its technical aspects.
“The timeline for its operation would be some time next year. With its operation, it will be a significant milestone in enhancing air connectivity and accessibility in the region as well as ensure competition in terms of ticket pricing, ensuring that airfare prices would no longer be monopolised,” he said.
At the same time, he said the Sarawak government is still subsidising flight tickets for Sarawak students studying at higher learning institutions to travel home through the Graduan Pulang Sarawak (iGPS) scheme.
“This benefits up to 12,000 students annually where they can apply for the scheme twice a year and receive subsidies up to RM600 for their flights,” he said.
Fazzrudin who is Tupong assemblyman said the scheme alleviates the burden of students and their parents in paying for airfares to return home while the Sarawak government is working on realising its own air carrier to serve the population.
