KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 – The cost of flight ticket from West Malaysia to Sarawak/Sabah has increased significantly since the implementation of MCO and this trend has continued even until now even when the government has already allowed inter-state travel, said Member of Parliament for Bandar Kuching, Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen.
A recent check on all the airlines online site showed that what used to cost between RM300 and RM500 for a two-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching now can be up to RM3,000 or more.
That’s more than 1,000 percent increase, the MP said, adding that he will raise the matter in Parliament on how the Government plans to regulate and control such prices that have been a huge burden to East Malaysians.
“We have received multiple complaints from public intending to travel home, doctors and other frontliners who just intend to travel back home for a short rest after their busy posting in one of their hospitals in the peninsular over the peak of Covid-19 period, but are unable too due to the excessive price of tickets.
“Not only that, but the frequency of flights is still so limited, which may be the main reason causing the prices to go up exorbitantly. This is even after the assurance by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) that flight frequency will be increased starting 1st October 2021,” Yii said.
He said that apart from tourism, high ticket cost will also affect the cost of doing business and such costs may be passed to consumers.
Calling on the government to make travelling to the state more easier, he urged both the Ministry of Transport and SDMC to properly engage and have a more comprehensive discussion with all airlines and aviation authorities such as Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM), Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), Malaysian Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and other relevant stakeholders to come up with a better arrangement and flight schedules to holistically address this problem.
He also called on travellers to strictly comply with all necessary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by the National Security Council, Health Ministry for their own safety and safety of their loved ones.
–WE