By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 5: The Transport Ministry (MoT) is looking into a proposal requiring airlines to display the amount of government subsidy given for airfares between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan) during festive seasons.
According to a news by Bernama today, MoT minister Anthony Loke said discussions will be held with airlines to determine the best mechanism to make subsidy details more transparent to passengers.
“Some passengers may not be aware of the substantial government subsidy provided when they purchase air tickets during festive seasons,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today in response to a question from Vivian Wong Shir Yee (PH–Sandakan).
As of this year, Loke shared that the MoT spent RM19.5 million to subsidise 39,744 air tickets, equivalent to RM491 per eligible ticket.
With the subsidy, passengers only need to pay a maximum of RM499 per ticket, although the average market price is RM990, Loke explained.
He said the airfare subsidy was implemented for Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Gawai Dayak and the Kaamatan Festival, and will continue for Christmas next month. —DayakDaily
