Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan proposed the establishment of a Borneon Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) to regulate and oversee the aviation industry in Sabah and Sarawak.
He said it was high time for BCAA to be established, especially after reports of various issues and delays in the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia’s (CAAM) handling of aviation matters in Sabah.
Jeffrey said this includes controlling the airfares to Sabah and Sarawak, which could soar to be unreasonably expensive, during Aidilfitri.
He said the on-going spat between the current and previous Transport Ministers over the high airfares to Sabah and Sarawak for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festival only compounded the matter.
“This also exposed the decades-old systemic problem of neglect of the interests and welfare of Sabahans and Sarawakians in terms of air-travel and the burden borne by them over the past few years.
“The costs, especially during festive and peak holiday seasons, are much higher and airlines are taking advantage of the heavier bookings.
“Air travel should not be burdensome as it is the only viable option for the two states, unlike their Malayan cousin with the low-cost land routes to “balik kampung for Hari Raya” in the peninsula,” he said in a statement, Tuesday
Jeffrey, who is also State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister, added that instead of arguing over the airfare, the Transport Minister and the Federal Government should work on resolving the high costs of air-travel to Sabah and Sarawak.
“I believe the BCAA will be able to look after the interests of Sabah, Sarawak and Malaysians travelling to and fro the Borneo states. The BCAA will focus on regulating and looking after the best interests of the aviation industry in the two states.
“There are talented and qualified Sabahans, including some educated, trained and certified in the US able to work with the BCAA.
“Their localised focus will also have them looking after the interests of the people including having better control of airfares.”
The Keningau Member of Parliament added that with better knowledge of the local circumstances and the understanding of the needs of Sabah and Sarawak, the BCAA could also create the much-needed impetus to alleviate the airline industry to achieve greater heights.
“Air-travel is also very important especially to Sabah, as international tourism are key sectors of the Sabah and Sarawak economy.
“In fact, the Kota Kinabalu International Airport is the second biggest and second busiest airport in Malaysia and the regional hub for many airlines with direct international flights. The timing to set up the BCAA is also spot-on now that Sarawak wish to set up a boutique airline.
“At the same time, Sabah is in discussions to venture into the air-cargo sector with an established logistics group as well to turn Sabah Air Aviation into a regional airline for the BIMP-EAGA region.”
Jeffrey added that he will raise the issue at the next MA63 Federal Cabinet Committee meeting.
