KUCHING: The federal government and Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) were urged to reduce the airfares for the Kuala Lumpur – Kuching route, particularly by national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS).
Former de facto law minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the current rate of more than RM2,000 for return flights are unaffordable.
“Air services is the only mode of transportation to connect Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur – there is no other option. This connectivity is important not only for socio-economic reasons but also integration between the people from these two parts of the country.
“Yes, there are other airlines offering cheaper options. However, many Sarawakians prefer to fly on Malaysia Airlines because it is the national carrier and it gives them a sense of belonging of being part of Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.
The former Santubong MP said as a national carrier, Malaysia Airlines has a social responsibility to provide safe, quality and reliable air services for the people in Sarawak.
“It should not all about money and profitability. I would like to call on the government as well as the MAVCOM to seriously look into this matter to effectively come up with a solution.
“This is not something that they should simply turn a blind eye. To the people of Sarawak, this is a serious matter and I believe this issue has been highlighted by Sarawak leaders repeatedly, representing the overall sentiment of the people,” he said.
Wan Junaidi said MAVCOM has an obligation to serve the people in Sarawak as the state has been active and supportive to the overall nation building process of Malaysia.
“I feel it is time for the government to start giving more attention to the plight of the rakyat from this part of the country,” he said.
