Dr Yii proposes pricing flight tickets at flat rates to enable Sarawakians to return to vote

Dr Kelvin Yii (file photo)

KUCHING, Nov 29: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has proposed flight tickets to and from Sarawak as well as within the State be priced at affordable flat rates for a week, especially during the third week of December, to enable Sarawakians to return home to vote.

Dr Yii opined that the flat rates should be offered for a few flights to cater to demand and not just only for a limited number of seats.

ā€œIn conjunction with the 14th General Election in 2018, AirAsia offered fixed fares as low as RM99 to encourage Malaysians to return home to cast their ballots.

ā€œSuch model could be followed again to encourage more people to fly back home.

ā€œElection is a celebration of democracy and is the constitutional right of every eligible citizen. No one should be left out,ā€ he said in a press statement.

Dr Yii noted the prices of flights into Sarawak around election day remained high despite the Sarawak Transport Ministry increased the frequency of flights to 307 weekly from 223 weekly starting Dec 11.

As such, he called on the State and federal governments to step in and ensure that prices of air tickets to Sarawak are more affordable for Sarawakians to return to the State to vote.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has fixed Dec 18 as polling day for the 12th Sarawak Election. ā€” DayakDaily