MIRI – It looks as if the announcement that Kuala Lumpur-Kuching flight fares have been reduced to RM200 is all talk only, said Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.
“There have been reports saying there are RM200 flights to Sarawak during election time that are now available, but a quick check today shows that such flights are no longer available.
“The federal and state government must do more, and step in to ensure that ticket prices are more affordable for Sarawakians to return to vote in the upcoming state election.
“This is in the spirit of democracy, and promotes greater participation of fellow Sarawakians in the election process,” he said in a press statement today.
Dr Yii said the current average fare to Sarawak is about RM1,000 one way.
“Such exorbitant prices were said to be due to the severely limited flight frequencies imposed by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) that resulted in the reduced supply of flights, thus leading to the sky-high prices beyond the affordability of any ordinary Malaysian,” he said.
Dr Yii said even with the announcement by caretaker transport minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin on the increasing frequency of flights to Sarawak from 223 to 307 weekly starting December 11, the prices of flights to Sarawak during election time are still high.
“It may serve as a deterrent for many to come back to carry out their constitutional duty to vote.
“There was a news report saying with the approval given for additional flights to Sarawak, airlines like AirAsia (Group Bhd) have reduced the price of tickets to Kuching from Kuala Lumpur to under RM200.
“However, a quick search on their website does not show the availability of any such flights at such prices, with very limited flights available at about RM300 one way and many others still more than RM1,000 one way.
“Even the cheaper priced flights are so limited and unable to cater for the demand, especially those wanting to travel back to vote.
“That is why I believe both governments should step in and find ways to incentivise people to go back to vote. This could be done through a subsidy scheme by both the federal and state government in collaboration with all airlines.
“I propose that flight tickets to and from Sarawak, as well as within Sarawak, be offered at an affordable flat rate for a week – three days before, and three days after the election on December 18.
“Such prices should be offered for a few flights to cater for the demand, and not just limited to a few seats.
“This has been done before and I am sure it can be done again,” he added.
Dr Yii said during the 14th general election in 2018, AirAsia offered fixed fares for as low as RM99 to encourage Malaysians to return home to cast their ballots.
Such a model could be used again to encourage more people to fly home, he said.
“(An) election is a celebration of democracy and is the constitutional right of every eligible citizen. No one should be left out.
“That is why I call upon the government to step in and provide the necessary assistance – including SDMC – to facilitate more flights to Sarawak to repeal any allegations that it is being used for undemocratic purposes, including to increase obstacles for voters residing outside of Sarawak from coming back to participate in the upcoming state election,” he said.
Nomination day for the 12th state election is on December 6, and polling is on December 18. – The Vibes, November 29, 2021
