Give MASwings’ takeover a precise timeline, the Sarawak government said
By Shantini Mogan
KUALA LUMPUR 31 AUGUST:Chong Chieng Jen, the head of the opposition in Sarawak, has pushed the state administration to give a precise schedule for its planned acquisition of MASwings Sdn Bhd, a regional airline.
According to Chong, Sarawakians are now inquiring as to when the takeover will be finished because airline fares are increasing.He made a statement today saying, “We implore the (state) government to be transparent about the entire airline acquisition process and to provide us with an estimated timeline.
He also requested an explanation from the state government regarding the airline’s acquisition price and operating expenses.What is the expected cost of tickets for Sarawakians who wish to travel over the festive seasons on these state-owned flights? He stated.
Ching pointed out that one-way economy tickets to Kuala Lumpur could cost above RM1,000 due to the impending school holidays.He gave several examples of the high prices, such as the RM849 one-way AirAsia ticket from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur on September 13, the RM1,629 one-way ticket from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur, and the RM1,709 one-way ticket from Miri to Kuala Lumpur.
While some might argue that these exorbitant ticket costs are exclusive to holidays and celebratory seasons, he pointed out that in Malaysia, these events happen often, and for the majority of Sarawakians, these are the only times they can travel.It is possible to accomplish this.
According to him, the question is whether or not the state government wants to take on this task.The acquisition of MASwings, a Malaysia Airlines subsidiary, was made possible by the Sarawak government’s agreement to take over rural aviation services from the federal government in July of last year.There seems to have been a delay in the takeover timeline.
In October of last year, it was announced that Abang Johari anticipated concluding the acquisition of MASwings in three months, allowing Sarawakians to travel by air on a state-owned airline by 2024.
However, he stated in March of this year that by the end of the year, the state government and federal authorities should have completed their discussions regarding the takeover of MASwings.
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