SARAWAK people blame both government and opposition politicians for the exorbitant airfares they have to pay to return home for the holidays.

Housewife Ann Maria said her daughter, who is studying in Kuala Lumpur, cannot even get a seat on any of the national airlines.

“We want her to come home to Miri for the school holidays and Christmas, but she cannot find an affordable seat now. What happened to the state government’s plans to establish its own budget airline, as GPS politicians promised during the last state elections?” she said.

“The Sarawak government also announced plans to buy MasWings to offer cheaper flights for state and national destinations, but that, too, has not materialised. Pakatan Harapan politicians also promised during the last general election that airfares would remain affordable for ordinary people. These are all empty promises from GPS and PH politicians,” she told the Vibes.

Social activist Willie Kajan urged GPS and PH to find a solution rather than blame each other.

“The school and Christmas holidays are approaching. The soaring airfares can only be controlled if the airlines and government ministries collaborate on a solution now. The tit-for-tat quarrels between politicians are not helping,” he said.

Recently, the office of the Sarawak premier responded to Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chien Jen, who blamed the state government for the high airfares.

Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, chief political secretary to Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, criticised Chong for “not playing his role” in urging Transport Minister Anthony Loke to address the issue of high airfares between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

“YB Chong is from the DAP, and Anthony Loke is the DAP secretary-general and federal transport minister. National airlines are under his ministry’s jurisdiction. YB Chong should address the issue of expensive airfares directly with Loke. Why is he blaming us (GPS)?” Fazzrudin said in a press statement.

The prices of flights from Sarawak to Kuala Lumpur and other parts of the peninsula have skyrocketed.

Chong, who is also the Sarawak PH chairman, recently criticised the GPS state government for failing to fulfil its promise to work with national airlines to secure cheaper flights for Sarawak routes. He cited examples of the current prices, noting that a one-way flight from Miri to Kuala Lumpur on September 13 costs RM1,709; Sibu to Kuala Lumpur, RM1,629; and Kuching to Kuala Lumpur, RM849.

Yesterday, Loke announced that the cabinet had agreed to a ceiling price of RM599 for flight tickets between the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak during festive seasons.

“We will set the ceiling price at RM599, as previously implemented, and the government will subsidise any amount exceeding this for the airlines. This is one of the measures we are taking to assist the people of Sabah and Sarawak and to ease their burden,” he said.

Loke also announced that the cabinet has decided to make the FLYsiswa programme, which provides a RM300 voucher to eligible students of higher learning institutions, an annual programme.

“Every year, we will provide this assistance at the federal government level, and the Sabah and Sarawak governments will also support their students. This initiative will help reduce the burden, especially for students,” he said.

The voucher is valid for the purchase of domestic flight tickets between the peninsula, Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan. – September 4, 2024.