TALKS between Sarawak’s Economic Planning Unit and Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the sole shareholder of Malaysia Airlines Bhd, on the state’s proposed boutique airline could be wrapped up within three months, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg said.

“We hope in three months to reach a decision,” he told reporters after attending a networking dinner for the Sarawak Business Federation and National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia last night.

Abang Johari did not disclose what’s being discussed or why the need to discuss with Khazanah.

He had in his address said the state wants to enhance its tourism sector by having a point-to-point arrangement for international tourists where they can take direct flights to Kuching without having to transit in Kuala Lumpur.

He also said he had informed Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob of the airline.

Abang Johari had been toying with the idea of the state having its own airline as far back as 2015 when he was the tourism minister.

The proposal then was for the Sarawak and Sabah governments to buy out the then ailing MasWings from Malaysia Airlines and transform it into a regional airline with direct flights from Kuching and Kota Kinabalu to nearby destinations in Asean countries and even southern China.

The plan fell through after Malaysia Airlines Bhd allegedly “dragged its feet”.

Abang Johari was quoted as saying in a January 2017 press conference: “Yes, it was our intention before to take over MasWings, but since they make it so difficult, we just forget about it.

“We have no choice but to change cars. If we can’t have a Proton Saga, we go for another car.”

Last year, he released some details on the airline saying it was operated by the state-owned air charter company Hornbill Skyways.

He said the planes that would be used would be those that could accommodate 200 passengers.

The destinations for the boutique airline are the same as he had planned in the failed MasWings buyout – from Sarawak to strategic hubs like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong. – March 29, 2022.