KUCHING: State Reform Party (Star) Sarawak is shocked and anguished over the horrific accident along Bintulu-Miri road on Wednesday afternoon where three lives were lost and seven seriously injured.
Its president Lina Soo said with regards to the accident involving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and a trailer, she queried why was there no ban on heavy vehicles such as trailers, trucks and containers travelling along Sarawak roads during the Gawai festive season.
She believes that there is a ban imposed on heavy vehicles for Hari Raya, namely on June 1 to 3, 8 and 9 but there is no such ruling in place for the Gawai celebration.
“I admit that accidents do happen, but if the ban on heavy vehicles had been in place in Sarawak during the Gawai period, the accident could have been prevented or less severe,” she said in a statement, today.
Soo also called on the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to impose a ban on heavy vehicles on roads during the Gawai period starting today (May 31) and June 3 to 4.
At the same time, Soo also cried foul over airline companies which take advantage of the festive seasons to make extra profits out of their passengers.
“Airlines must not be profiteers during Gawai, Hari Raya and Chinese New Year, taking advantage of Sarawakians working or studying outstations who wish to “balik kampong” for family reunion and family bonding,” she stressed.
After checking air ticket prices on Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia for the Gawai period, Soo claimed the airfare from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur and vice versa can cost upwards from between RM600 and RM1,300 one way.
“The airfares are jacked up three or four times more compared to the normal fares. This is unacceptable and socially irresponsible of airlines,” she pointed out.
She added that returning home to be with family during festivals is a filial duty and obligation, and Sarawakians should be encouraged, not penalised with exceedingly high air ticket prices for wanting to return home on such occasions.
“I hope the spirit of corporate social responsibility (CSR) will prevail over the need of the airlines to make extraordinary profits out of a segment of our society who have to travel home on festive occasions.”
