KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah government today urged the Transport Ministry to intervene and help reduce air fares, which have become too expensive for Sabahans planning to return home from Kuala Lumpur for the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the fares, which could cost up to RM1,400 for a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan, have become a burden for travellers who regularly ply routes between the national capital and Sabah.
“Whether it is for work or leisure, the high airfares pose a challenge for individuals and families,” he said in a statement.
“This also does not bode well for Sabah as it aims to bring more visitors to the state when the country’s borders reopened on April 1.”
Hajiji noted the issue was discussed by the Sabah cabinet, which urged the Transport Ministry to bring down the price of flight tickets, particularly during festive periods.
“Many Sabahans are either studying or working in the peninsula and most of them want to return home to celebrate Hari Raya with their families,” he said.
Sabahans working in Kuala Lumpur have complained about the expensive air fares, which, they said, is keeping them from flying back to see their families over the Hari Raya holidays. – The Vibes, April 13, 2022
