MASwings acquisition expected to be completed by Q3’2024, says S’wak Premier

Abang Johari addressing the audience at 'The Life of Datuk Polycarp Sim Cheng Mong' book launch ceremony at a hotel in Kuching on Dec 20, 2023.

By Ashley Sim

KUCHING, Dec 20: The Sarawak government’s acquisition of MASwings is expected to be completed in the second or third quarter of 2024, says the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the due diligence process is currently underway for MASwings’ assets.

“The two ministries involved (in the due diligence process) are the Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Sarawak,” he said, noting that the Tourism Ministry is doing the market potential analysis.

The Premier told reporters this after officiating at ‘The Life of Datuk Polycarp Sim Cheng Mong’ book launch held at a local hotel here today.

He also expressed that Sarawak desires to establish its own airline in order to stabilise airfares, particularly during festive seasons, and as a means of investing in infrastructure.

Furthermore, Abang Johari stated that Sarawak would maintain a fixed fare even during holidays to allow Sarawakians to fly home.

“There are two reasons why we want to take MASwings. One is because of the fare. We want to intervene on the fare. Intervention. Because the fare nowadays is not controlled. So we have to stabilise the fare. That means we will set our fare. We are not profit-motivated.

“Secondly, our airline industry is an investment, infrastructure investment. It’s just like you build a bridge or you build a road. You don’t calculate the returns on it. It is a very basic infrastructure.

“So, I take that as part of infrastructure. As long as you cover OPEC. That’s all. So, we can set our fare, which is consistent, irrespective of whether you have a festival or no festival.”

Abang Johari further remarked that the airline would serve as a bridge for better connectivity for Sarawak.

“For us, you got no option, you cannot swim from Singapore to Borneo. Nobody can swim. So in other words, the airline is a bridge for us to have access,” he added.

Amongst those present were MTCP Sarawak Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; MOTS Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; MTCP Sarawak deputy minister Datuk Sebastian Ting; Accor Malaysia & Indonesia senior vice president of operations Michel Vivier; and Evolveland Bhd director Roger Sim. — DayakDaily