As travel curbs ease, exorbitant flight tickets keep Sabahans grounded

SANDAKAN – As the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration approaches, factory worker Anna Asmael can’t help but think about flying back home to Sandakan from Kuala Lumpur to spend the holidays with her two young sons.

But the thought of paying RM1,100 for a return trip is simply too high a hurdle for the single mother to overcome.

Anna said she just started her current job last month and feels that the fare is excessive, even though she would prefer spending time with her boys, aged 10 and 12.

I have other friends who are Sabahans, working in the same factory as I am. Most of them are also not returning to Sabah this year as they cannot afford the tickets,” she told The Vibes when contacted.

Airlines have started opening more domestic flights since the nation officially transitioned to the endemic phase of Covid-19, allowing significantly relaxed movement regulations for local and international travellers who are vaccinated and have received their booster shots.

However, the economic toll from two years of living under the pandemic has made it difficult for Sabahans in the big city to afford flights across the South China Sea.

Sukarni Mappahli, 37, said premium prices during festive seasons are common but complained that current prices are far too high.

She said she had bought a ticket earlier this month to fly back to Tawau for RM379 but cannot afford a return ticket that could set her back nearly double the amount over the entire week after the two-day holiday.

This time, it is too expensive. They are not considering people living in Sabah and Sarawak who have missed Raya with our families for two years,” said Sukarni, who has worked in Kuala Lumpur over the past 15 years.

Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee urged the government to introduce fixed price flights between the capital city and East Malaysia for festive seasons, as was done by the previous Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration in 2020.

She said high airfares are a constant pain point for Sabahans and Sarawakians, who worry they won’t be able to afford to fly home for the Raya holidays after being away for at least two years due to the pandemic.

“Thus, I strongly urge the government to emulate PH government’s initiative to help lessen the burden of our fellow East Malaysians by bringing back the festive season fixed price extra flight package for this coming Hari Raya,” Wong said. – The Vibes, April 12, 2022