KUCHING, Jan 6: All airlines are required to submit applications for extra flights to the Sarawak Ministry of Transport (MOTS) for the consideration of Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
In a statement today, Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said this is in view of increasing flight demand due to coming Chinese New Year celebration in February.
Expecting greater movements of people and goods across Sarawak as the State transitioned into Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), he reminded airlines not to increase air fares for the time being.
MOTS, he said, would organise a visit to the Ministry of Transport, Malaysia and other transport related agencies headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to establish a close rapport with the federal counterparts.
He hoped that through the meeting, there will be a better understanding between the State and federal stakeholders which is vital to efficiently facilitate and resolve issues related to transportation industry in Sarawak.
This was among other matters discussed in a meeting between Lee, his two Assistant Ministers Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Dato Henry Harry Jinep and other relevant agencies.
Other relevant agencies attended the meeting were from Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, Road Transport Department (JPJ), Marine Department, Puspakom, Malaysia Airport Sdn Bhd (MASB), Civil Aviation of Malaysia (CAAM), Commercial Vehicle Licencing Board (CVLB) Sarawak and all six MOTS Division Heads namely Corporate Management Division, Land Transport & Logistics Division, Maritime & Riverine Division, Aviation Division, Policy Formulation & Project Management Division and Legal Advisory Division.
Meanwhile, Singapore Scoot Tigerair Pte Ltd (Scoot)’s twice-weekly Singapore-Miri direct flights, which was supposed to start this Jan 19, was announced to be commencing on a later date.
Citing Scoot chief executive officer (CEO) Campbell Wilson, Lee said that the company is still tying some loose ends with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). — Dayakdaily
