By Shikin Louis
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21: The Sarawak government is currently in the process of calculating the cost implications of taking over MASwings, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He noted that whenever festive celebrations like Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year and Gawai Dayak were around the corner, the airfares would dramatically increase, which would burden Sarawakians who wish to return home for the holidays.
Therefore, he said, the Sarawak government has decided to form its own airline through the acquisition of MASwings, adding that the new airline would serve as part of the solution to help Sarawakians with more affordable airfares during festive seasons.
“We are still calculating the cost implication because the Federal government has agreed for us to take over MASwings but it must fly outside Borneo too.
“Insya-Allah in the near future, we will resolve the MASwings takeover from Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and it will be placed under Sarawak,” he said during a townhall session at Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2023 held at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) Kuala Lumpur here today.
He was responding to a question from a Sibu-born student of Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) who complained about expensive airfares during the festive seasons. — DayakDaily
