Sarawak airline another empty promise from Abang Johari, scoffs Kelvin Yii

MIRI – Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has scoffed at caretaker chief minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg over his announcement of a state airline in Sarawak.

Yii, a DAP lawmaker, said this is the second time in three years that Johari has announced his grand plans to set up a Sarawak airline, but nothing materialised.

“This is not the first time Johari has announced plans to set up a state airline. He announced the same thing in 2019,” he was quoted as saying in The Borneo Post.

Johari yesterday said the state government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will set up a boutique airline after the state election.

Yii said Johari has been publicly announcing his ideas for having a state airline but such a plan is financially unsound and not viable economically in the long term due to the high costs of sustaining an airline, with the state’s small population.

“Setting up our own airline is not economically feasible. That is why I strongly urge Abang Johari to reconsider his priorities.

“Maybe he should instead find ways to provide incentives to existing Malaysian airline companies to reduce their ticket prices so that Sarawakians can come back to vote in this coming election.”

He added that the state government should look at working with existing private national and private airlines to improve connectivity, especially by starting domestic routes within Sarawak, by offering incentives and even subsidies rather than starting an airline company that requires high investment, high cost and high expertise, which Sarawak does not have.

Yii said Johari’s recent announcements always mentioned that such projects will be done “if given the mandate in this state election”.

“This itself is dangerous, as Johari seems to be more interested in an ‘image decision’ rather than a ‘business decision’, which may have an impact on the economic future of Sarawak.

“Running an airline business is very tough, and it is highly regulated in terms of organisational structure, passenger safety regulations, specialities, and other aviation requirements.

“Fact of the matter is, Johari must understand that in principle, it should not be the business of the government to be in business.”

Sarawak heads to the polls on December 18, with nomination day on December 6 and early voting on December 14. – The Vibes, December 1, 2021