THE Sarawak Premier’s Office has hit back at Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen for blaming the state government for not addressing the issue of soaring airfare.
Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, chief political secretary to premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, slammed Chong for “not playing his role” in getting Federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke to reduce soaring airfare between Sarawak and the peninsula.
“Loke is federal transport minister and the national airlines are under the jurisdiction of his ministry.
“Chong should bring up the issue of expensive airfare directly to Loke. Why is he blaming us (GPS),” Fazzrudin said in a statement.
Chong, who is also Sarawak Pakatan Harapan chairman, had taken the GPS state government to task yesterday for its failure to fulfill its promises of working with national airlines to get cheaper flights for Sarawak routes.
Chong said current airfare prices charged by Air Asia for the Sarawak-peninsula sectors were way too expensive.
Many people who booked flights from Sarawak to the peninsula and vice versa for September were shocked by the costs, he had said.
He said a one-way flight between Miri and Kuala Lumpur for September 13 would cost RM1,709, a Sibu-Kuala Lumpur flight would cost RM1,629, and a Kuching-Kuala Lumpur flight would cost RM849.
Chong said seats were limited and passengers lacked options if they needed to book a seat.
He said Malaysia Airlines had announced impending reductions of flights for domestic routes too.
He urged state ministers to act fast to get airfare reduced as school holidays and festive seasons were approaching. – September 2, 2024.
