By Shikin Louis and Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 27: The takeover of MASwings by the Sarawak government is expected to be finalised within three months so that the soon-to-be established boutique-sized Sarawak-owned airline can commence operations next year (2024).
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that the signing of today’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Management of Rural Air Services (RAS) by acquisition of shares in MASwings Sdn Bhd will now advance the negotiations between both Sarawak and Federal Ministries of Transport including Khazanah Nasional for the takeover.
“I gave them three months to finalise the takeover so that we can start flying next year.
“We want 100 per cent of the shares in MASwings, although Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is interested to own some of the shares. But, the majority stake must be Sarawak,” he said during a doorstep interview after witnessing the MOU signing ceremony between Sarawak government, Hornbill Skyways Sbd Bhd and MAG at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Sarawak seeks a majority bloc of the shares in MASwings to gain control over the aviation landscape, including the planning of flight routes.
Abang Johari believes that this will position Sarawak strategically to meet both Sarawak and regional needs.
When questioned about the name of the new Sarawakian carrier, Abang Johari requested time to find inspiration for it.
On whether Sarawak intends to take over Kuching International Airport (KIA) to establish it as Sarawak’s aviation hub, he replied: “Let’s take it step by step without rushing, as we also need to assess and evaluate Sarawak’s capacity as we move forward.”
In the MOU, the Sarawak government was represented by permanent secretary to the Transport Ministry Sarawak Datu Ir Alice Jawan Empalng and Aviation Technical advisor Sio Yew Hua, while Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd was represented by its chairman Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Hussain and its chief executive office (CEO) Captain Miron Kumer Ganguly, and MAG by its group managing director Captain Dato Izham Ismail and its chief strategy officer Brian Foong. — DayakDaily
