State aims for first flight between April-September

KUCHING: Sarawak which is working on taking over MASwings Sdn Bhd (MASwings) aims to have the company operate its first flight in the second or third quarter of the coming year.

In stating this Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, said the operation of MASwings is intended to stabilise ‘’uncontrollable’ flight fares during festive seasons.

He said every two months, Sarawak now celebrates various events such as Christmas, Chinese New Year, Gawai Dayak, and subsequently, Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

“The current issue we face is the frequency of celebrations every two months in Sarawak… this leads to an increase in flight fare rates due to the open market, which depends on demand and supply.

“Our involvement (MASwings) is to stabilise these fare rates, meaning we will set our own fares. Every airline should follow suit. We are not motivated by profit,” he said.

Abang Johari made these remarks to reporters after the book launching of ‘The Life of Datuk Polycarp Sim Cheng Mong’ at a hotel here Wednesday (Dec 20).

Abang Johari emphasised that the airline company in Sarawak is an investment in infrastructure, similar to building a bridge or road.

“Therefore, returns are not measured like regular companies. As long as we can sustain it, that is what matters. We can set our own consistent fares, regardless of whether there is a celebration or not.

“Some doubt whether we can manage it or not, but I say that this is an investment, and we don’t need to ask what returns will be obtained later.

“To measure the success of this takeover, it should be based on the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) because when people come (to Sarawak), they will spend money, and the economy will grow, and that should be the measurement of our success,” he added.

He also said that the acquisition of MASWings involves the collaboration of two ministries in Sarawak, namely the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and the Ministry of Transport Sarawak.