Fazzrudin urges Chong to leverage federal connections to address rising airfares

KUCHING (Sept 1): State Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen should reach out to his federal counterpart, national DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who is federal Transport Minister, to address the issue of rising airfares, said Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.

The chief political secretary to the premier said the authority to regulate and oversee matters of aviation rests with the federal government.

“The federal transport minister is Chong’s own boss in DAP, Anthony Loke. I am perplexed as to why he (Chong) did not simply reach out to his federal counterpart, given it would have been easier to do so given his personal connections to the minister, coming from the same party,” he said in a statement today.

Fazzrudin, who is also Tupong assemblyman and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member, wondered why the state DAP lawmaker had called upon the Sarawak government to intervene.

He further questioned whether it was because Chong could not put his trust in Loke.

“I also take note of the interest by Chong on Sarawak government’s proposed takeover of MASwings. This shows that there is support, even from the opposition, for Sarawak to have its own airline due to pressing needs in air connectivity.

“This is despite several DAP Sarawak leaders, prior to this, questioning the proposal and its viability despite the recurring issues affecting flights to Sarawak,” he said.

He recalled that Premier Datuk Patinggin Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had in April announced that the acquisition of MASwings was in the discussion stage relating to its technical aspects, and that the timeline for its operation would be sometime next year.

“With its operation, it will be a significant milestone in enhancing air connectivity and accessibility in the region as well as ensure competition in terms of ticket pricing, ensuring that airfare prices would no longer be monopolised,” pointed out Fazzrudin.

According to him, the Sarawak government is still subsidising flight tickets for Sarawak students studying at higher learning institutions to travel home through the Graduan Pulang Sarawak (iGPS) scheme.

He disclosed that this scheme benefits up to 12,000 students annually, allowing them to apply for the subsidy twice a year and receive up to RM600 for their flights.

“This scheme alleviates the burden of students and their parents in paying for air fares to return home while at the same time, the Sarawak government is working on realising its own air carrier to serve the population,” added Fazzrudin.

On Saturday, Chong had urged the Sarawak government to be transparent about its airline acquisition process and provide Sarawakians with an estimated timeline for its completion.

He lamented that Sarawakians were facing high ticket prices for flights between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, exacerbated by Malaysia Airlines’ reduced fleet due to technical safety issues.