By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, March 3: The Sarawak government is meticulously following the proper processes in its takeover of MASwings to ensure a smooth and efficient transition.
According to Minister for Transport Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, currently, the State government is carrying out proper due diligence with Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) before taking over MASwings, and the acquisition will take some time before it is completed.
“It is anticipated that this may be completed by the second half of this year. After the acquisition has been completed, our Sarawak government’s plan is to expand the airline to become a regional airline,” Lee pointed out.
He was speaking at the launching of City Rise Hotel at Jalan Brooke here today.
“My ministry is also engaging with several airlines to look into having direct flights from selected destinations into Sarawak. I have also personally met with SIA (Singapore Airlines) and Scoot (Scoot Pte Ltd) to increase Scoot’s direct flights from Singapore to Miri and Miri/Singapore. Currently, Scoot has three direct flights weekly to and from Singapore,” Lee disclosed.
On Miri Airport’s proposed terminal extension, Lee said he was given assurance by the Federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke that the project would be included in Budget 2025.
“I sincerely hope it will be approved and can be implemented next year. This is a long overdue project,” Lee added.
Also present at the hotel launching were Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Deputy Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang and his deputy Cr Ariffin Mohamad, and Chiong Ho Ling Sdn Bhd’s group executive chairman Tan Sri Ling Chiong Ho and group managing director Datuk James Ling Lu Kiong.
