KUALA LUMPUR – Transport Minister Anthony Loke today called out his predecessor Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong after the latter claimed a return economy class ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau during the Hari Raya period would cost upwards of RM3,000.
In a Facebook post, Loke said a check with Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) group chief executive officer Izham Ismail found that there are in fact no available economy class tickets on sale during that period, as they had all been sold out.
Loke said Izham had also confirmed that the price Wee was referring to was for a business class ticket.
Even then, Loke noted the price offered by MAB for business class travel is only RM2,863.40, less than the figure quoted by Wee in an earlier Facebook post this morning.
“This fact must be corrected. As a former transport minister himself, I am confident Wee understands the difference between an economy and business class ticket,” he said today.
“Regardless, I would like to thank him for the concern he has shown on the issue of expensive airfares and his view on additional flight capacities.”
Loke said he would hold a special press conference at noon tomorrow at the Transport Ministry to provide further information pertaining to flight capacities during Aidilfitri festive period.
Earlier, Wee had expressed his shock and disappointment that a return economy ticket between Kuala Lumpur and Tawau during the festive period would cost RM3,138.
Wee said he found this shocking as there are currently no more Covid-19 restrictions, and aircraft do not need to undergo the three-month maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) process to be able to be deemed safe for flying.
“How are the B40 and M40, especially those from Tawau (but residing) in the peninsula, going to celebrate the festive season this year?” Wee asked.
The MCA president added that as the aviation sector has gradually recovered and most aircraft are no longer grounded, airlines should have no excuse not to increase flight frequency.
Wee urged airlines to reconsider the high airfares and be considerate to the public, claiming this has caused a huge burden on them.
“Please do not give the impression that the airlines are out to recover their losses suffered during the pandemic within a short period of time by exploiting the current situation and imposing higher airfares.
“I guess the standard answer from the government will be that the airfares are determined by dynamic pricing mechanism and the government has no control over the airfares.
“No matter who the government is, such an answer by the Transport Ministry will be a hard pill to swallow by the people,” he said. – The Vibes, April 16, 2023
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