KOTA KINABALU, May 4 — The federal government is looking at ways to lower the airfare between peninsular Malaysia and its Borneo half so that Sabahans and Sarawakians hoping to travel home to celebrate the coming harvest festivals will find the ticket prices more affordable.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the airfare was being discussed at the federal Cabinet level and that even Prime Minister and co-deputy Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof were paying attention to the issue.
“We hope to overcome the issue by the coming festive seasons so that people, especially those in the B40 and M40 bracket can celebrate with their families in their hometowns.
“We are aware that the high cost of airfares are affecting Sabahans and Sarawakian working in West Malaysia so we hope that by Gawai and Kaamatan, we won’t have this issue again,” Zahid who is also federal rural and regional development minister said.
He added that the federal Transport Ministry has told airlines not to just use supply-and-demand as the basis for setting their fares, but to also consider their corporate social responsibilities.
He said fellow DPM Fadillah has been tasked to monitor the airfare situation.
Zahid also said the government is looking at boutique airlines to increase the peninsula-east Malaysia routes.
Sabah celebrates Kaamatan the entire month of May but it culminates in two public holidays on May 30 and 31 while Gawai is observed in Sarawak on June 1 and 2.
Residents in the two Bornean states often complain of high airfares to the peninsula especially during peak seasons of school and festive holidays.
Zahid is on a one day visit here. Earlier he visited the MARA junior science college in Kinarut.
