SIBU: A deputy minister from the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) is backing the state’s decision to start a boutique airline.
Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Michael Tiang Ming Tee said the goal of the boutique airline is to provide flight connections for the people of Sarawak to the outside world and boost Sarawak’s international trade and tourism industry.
“It is clear that Sarawak’s tourism industry development depends a lot on flight connectivity,” he said when met by reporters during a meeting at the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman’s office here yesterday (Apr 19).
Tiang was commenting on a statement by Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii. who disagreed with the Sarawak government’s plan to establish a boutique airline.
Dr Yii expressed his concern that the plan would not be economically viable even though Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given the green light.
Tiang, who is also the Pelawan assemblyman, said Sarawak relies a lot on privately owned airlines to provide international routes connecting Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia and the world.
“We are at their (private airlines’) mercy. They see opportunities in Sarawak purely based on economic feasibility. In other words, if it is not profitable to provide certain flight routes, Sarawak will be denied access to those routes,” he stressed.
He said Sarawak cannot say anything as it is the decision of private airlines.
“Therefore, I believe that this boutique airline owned by the Sarawak government is part of our services and duties to the people,” he said.
Tiang stressed that the decision to have the state’s own boutique airline is not based on whether it is economically viable or not, but to improve Sarawak’s logistics for development.
He hopedDr Yii will join him to promote the boutique airline to Sarawak and the world.
Tiang argued that the boutique airline is part of Sarawak’s effort to develop its route autonomously.
“We decided to create our path. For example, Vietnam Airlines proposed and wanted flights from Vietnam to Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, but the federation did not allow it.
“So, with our boutique airline, we can make our own decisions to cooperate with other airlines,” he said.
