By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 22: The state government’s plan to subsidise airfares for Sarawakian students to return home during festive seasons is ‘great’, but it would be ‘terrific’ if it could be extended to those working in Peninsular Malaysia.
Management Board of Kuching Chung Hua Middle School No. 1, 3 and 4 chairman Datuk Richard Wee observed that the initiative would help to reduce the financial burden of many parents and old folks, especially those from the rural areas.
“The air tickets are ridiculously high during festive seasons. This is such great news for students outside Sarawak.
“This is also the plight of parents and old folks, who often complain that their children cannot come back during the festive seasons because the airfares are all too expensive,” he told DayakDaily today.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced this initiative during the ‘TanyakAbgJo Session’, which formed part of the ‘Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2018’ event in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (Oct 20).
Wee, who is also Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions president, however, suggested that the state government consider extending this privilege to Sarawakians working in Peninsular Malaysia.
“I believe this burden is also experienced by many Sarawakians other than students,” he said.
With the state government’s strong financial standing at present, he opined that more assistance should be delivered to the people of Sarawak who have been feeling the pinch of rising costs of living, including wanting to own a house.
“So, all the assistance for the people, including savings aid for newborns as well as the ‘Rumah Pertiwiku’ initiative to help people own homes, are all welcomed,” he emphasised.
Wee stressed that this is the beginning of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government that is people-centric and aligned with their ‘Sarawak and Sarawakians first’ policy.
“At the end of the day, the government is for the people, by the people and of the people as the state strives hard to alleviate burdens of the people,” he said. — DayakDaily
