SIBU: Sarawak United People 痴 Party (SUPP) Dudong chief Wong Ching Yong has urged the federal Ministry of Transport to ensure reasonable and convenient flight services for the people of Sarawak, particularly those in Sibu.
He highlighted concerns over decreasing flight frequencies and consistently rising ticket prices, especially for outbound flights from Sibu.
This is unfair to Sibu residents, as air travel to West Malaysia is their only option. Despite high airfares, residents have no
Using examples from Nov 17 flights, he pointed out that ticket prices for Malaysia Airlines flight MH2717 from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur started from RM1234.18, and for AirAsia flight AK5877, it was RM919.
In contrast, a Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong flight, which had double the flight duration, had lower ticket prices, with Malaysia Airlines offering tickets for as low as RM1187 and AirAsia even lower at RM429.
“With such price comparisons, one has to ask Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia: are you blatantly taking advantage of Sarawak, especially Sibu residents? The ticket prices from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur are actually more expensive than international flights from Kuala Lumpur.”
He expressed concern that high ticket prices would impact local tourism, economic development, and the livelihoods of many locals who have to travel to West Malaysia for various reasons, creating an unbearable burden.
Moreover, in this situation, while the federal government encourages people from East and West Malaysia to enhance communication, it may become nothing more than an ineffective slogan due to the astonishing ticket prices.
Wong stressed that Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook needs to address not only ticket prices but also the reduction in outbound flights from Sibu, including decreased frequencies to Kuala Lumpur and the cessation of flights to Singapore.
He called on MPs Alice Lau and Oscar Ling not to disappoint the voters of Sibu and urged them to be proactive in addressing flight issues.
“Having gained strong support from the people of Sibu and receiving high salaries of tens of thousands each month, the two DAP parliamentarians should not be powerless to the people’s demands during the opposition period and then claim helplessness when in power.”
On another note, Wong commended the Sarawak government, led by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, for working towards establishing its own airline to alleviate the burden on Sarawak residents using air services, including providing subsidies for air tickets during important festive seasons for students.
