PETALING JAYA: Sarawak opposition leader Chong Chieng Jen has urged the state government to provide a clear timeline on its proposed takeover of regional airline MASwings Sdn Bhd.
Chong said that with flight fares going up, Sarawakians are now asking when the takeover would be completed.
We urge the (state) government to be transparent on the whole airline acquisition process and give us an estimated timeline,
he said in a statement today.
He also asked the state government to explain the acquisition price and operating costs of the airline.
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What will be the estimated ticket prices for Sarawakians travelling on these state-owned flights during festive seasons?
he said.
Chong noted that with the upcoming school holidays, one-way economy flights to Kuala Lumpur could cost more than RM1,000.
He cited examples of the steep fares, with a one-way AirAsia flight from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur on Sept 13 priced at RM849, from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur at RM1,629, and from Miri to Kuala Lumpur at RM1,709.
He said while some may claim that these high ticket prices only coincide with holidays and festive seasons, in Malaysia, such occasions are frequent, and for most Sarawakians, these are the only times they can travel.
“There are many ways in which the Sarawak government can engage with these airlines on a government-to-private negotiation basis to obtain cheaper ticket prices for Sarawakians during these festive seasons.
This can be done. The question is whether the state government cares to do it,
he said.
In July last year, the Sarawak government agreed to take over rural air services from the federal government, paving the way for a takeover of MASwings, which is a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines.
The timeframe for the takeover appears to have been delayed.
Abang Johari was reported in October last year as saying he expected the acquisition of MASwings to be concluded within three months so that Sarawakians can fly with a state-owned airline by 2024.
In March this year, however, he said the state government is expected to finalise discussions with federal authorities on the takeover of MASwings by the end of this year.
