KUCHING: One-way economy class flight tickets will be capped at RM599 for travel from the peninsula to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan for three days before this year’s Hari Raya celebrations.
Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, who announced the initiative said those who buy flight tickets to Sabah, Sarawak or Labuan in advance are likely to get lower prices.
He also said that the ministry will seek the views of all parties including the minister of religious affairs to determine the exact date Hari Raya will fall before finalising the implementation of the maximum ticket price.
New Sarawak Tribune interviewed several people regarding the latest development on the prices of airline tickets.
Brendalynn, 29, Civil Servant
For me, for example, travel from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching at a ticket price of RM599 is expensive. Not all Borneans who work in the peninsula earn as much as some others. Some are only doing low-income jobs. If you are still unmarried, you can consider it.
If you are married, have many children, tickets can be very expensive. Very burdensome for them. If one way only reaches RM599 then the return airfare would be about the same price. Almost RM1,000. If there are 3-4 children, it will cost almost RM6-7,000.
If it’s a festival, the price of flight tickets suddenly increases. It seems that not all people in Borneo can return during festivals because the ticket price is just too high.
Ahmad Asri Mohammadin, 32, Private Sector Employee
In my opinion, the ticket price is not worth it as it is quite expensive to go back to one’s place of birth to celebrate festivals especially when the economy is not good.
I hope the price of tickets can be lowered to a more reasonable amount so that family members can return to celebrate with their families.
Vennisia Elma Lawrence, 24, Civil Servant
It is a good initiatives for the children of Borneo migrants who are in Peninsular Malaysia, especially Sarawak, Sabah students who are there.
For me, it is quite cheap compared to the previous year. The year before, ticket prices reached thousands of ringgit for one-way only.
It is my hope that this will continue for every festival every year.
Samsol Morshidi Bujang, 42, Government Officer
The maximum price of plane tickets as set by the government is quite reasonable because it will encourage competition among airlines to lower the price.
It is my hope that the airlines will help those from Sabah and Sarawak alleviate their burden, especially for those who have families returning in conjunction with Hari Raya.
