BY NATASHA JEE & GOH PEI PEI
KUCHING: MASwings played an important role in the state’s economy by mobilising around 2.4 million passengers and more than 2,000 metric tonnes of cargoes to and from the rural areas of Sarawak and Sabah between 2019 and 2022.
In pointing this out, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said hence, it was timely to upgrade MASwings to facilitate further development of the rural areas and the movement of the people and goods within Sarawak as well as outside the state.
“This is one of the best ways and alternatives to enhance the air connectivity in and to Sarawak,” he said.
Lee was speaking at the signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Management of Rural Air Services by Acquisition of Shares in MASwings held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday (Oct 27).
The signatories of the MoU were the Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS), Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd.
The MoU, Lee said, was very important as it would chart the way and accelerate the joint working committee to do the due diligence before the actual takeover took place.
“It will assist us to move forward in a more systematic way to expand our rural connectivity and beyond. It will leap us a step closer to realise and establish our own Sarawak airline.
Lee added that since Sarawak had an area of 124,450 sq kilometres and more than 5,000 settlements scattered throughout the region, air connectivity played an important role in connecting rural settlements, particularly in the hinterland regions.
“There are four major airports, four small airports and eight short take-off and landing airports (STOLports) which are in the remote regions of Sarawak, such as in Bario, Bakelalan, Long Akah, Long Seridan and Long Banga.
“The STOLports facilitate the movement of the people and cargoes from the rural areas and across the regions,” he said.
Lee also pointed out that the transport sector was one of the critical enablers to catalyse the development of the tourism, manufacturing, agriculture or mining sectors.
“A lot of things hinge on the effectiveness and efficiency of our transport sector, especially in transporting and mobilising our people and goods.
“Therefore, I believe with this MOU and the acquisition of MASwings, we can ensure the sustainability and connectivity not only within Sarawak and Sabah, but also to other cities in Malaysia, and to international destinations around the region.
“Together, let us create a seamless travel and connectivity through a sustainable aviation industry that will be significant to our people in Sarawak and Malaysia in general,” said Lee.
