by Mohd Zahid Ahmad Zaki
KUCHING: With Hari Raya Aidifitri fast approaching, many Muslims are already making preparations to return to their hometowns.
Non-Muslims, particularly students, are also looking forward to spending the Hari Raya holidays with their family members.
However, many Sarawak students at higher learning institutions (IPTs) in Semenanjung Malaysia are sad they will not be home for the Raya because of the expensive flight tickets.
MUHAMAD ZA’IM MUSTAQIM
(Town and Regional Planning student)
The high plane ticket prices have an effect especially on students who need money for other needs. When the plane ticket prices are high, it is not worthwhile to go back for a week, even for Raya.
JOHN MALVINE SIGED
(Human Development student)
A week’s holiday is not a long time to spend time with family. In addition, plane ticket prices are soaring, especially during the festive season. It is hoped that the government can do something about the hike in plane ticket prices to reduce the burden of students who want to go home for Raya.
Brenda Markus
(Malay Language Education student)
The hike in plane fares happens not only before Hari Raya Aidilfitri but also during every festive season. The government should work with the relevant parties to set fixed prices for students so that they do not have to compete with others to get flight tickets.
Nurezzati Nadhirah Roslan
(Teaching English as Second Language (TESL) student)
Financial factors are unavoidable and difficult to control. Therefore, students need to plan in advance to buy return tickets during the festive season based on the academic calendar that has been prepared. That way, students will not fall into the ‘trap’ of hikes in prices each time there is a festive season.
