By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 27: The Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) and its special working committee overseeing the aviation industry will visit the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility under MAB Engineering in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah soon to understand services and support provided for MASwings and Rural Air Services.
According to its Minister, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, the visit is part of the Sarawak government’s efforts to study and familiarise itself with the aviation industry following the MASwings takeover.
“We will also engage with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM),” he said when speaking at the signing ceremony of memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the management of Rural Air Services by acquisition of shares in MASwings Sdn Bhd held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
In August this year, Lee had also led the working committee on a study visit to the National Aerospace and Defence Industry (NADI) and Airod Sdn Bhd hangar in Subang, Asia Digital Engineering and MAB Engineering in Sepang to have a better understanding on the MRO and Aviation industry business that they provide.
Earlier in June and July, he and the working committee also had meetings with the Malaysian Minister for Transport Anthony Loke Siew Fook and his officers, top management of Khazanah Nasional and the Malaysian Aviation Group (MAG) team.
On Oct 23, Lee’s ministry also commenced a signing agreement and workshop on the study of the Sarawak Integrated Transport Masterplan to ensure coordination of all modes of transport in meeting the needs of the economic sectors.
Meanwhile, MAG Group chairman Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin described MASwings, serving as the sole operator of Rural Air Services in Sabah and Sarawak, as a lifeline connecting the remote corners of Borneo.
“Sixteen years on, MASwings has flown more than 17.5 million passengers as of August 2023, operating over 110 flights a day with 14 aircraft and a workforce of close to 300 staff,” he said.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was present to witness the MOU signing ceremony.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Transport Minister Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Art Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Federal Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah and MAG Group chairman Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin were among those present. — DayakDaily
