‘Don’t speculate on new rates’

People’s leader: Liow (centre) chatting with some pupils at SJK(C) Bandar Sungai Long after launching the school in Kajang. Looking on are deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon (right) and SJK(C) Bandar Sungai Long Development Committee chairman Datuk Lee Ban Seng.

KAJANG: Don’t speculate on the new rates for the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) that will be implemented in all airports in the country, says Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

The Transport Minister said the higher rates are expected to be implemented from next year, but the Malaysian Aviation Commission would decide on the matter.

“Just wait for the commission to announce the details,” he told The Star.

Earlier while launching SJK(C) Bandar Sungai Long yesterday, Liow said the commission had shared its views with him and that the matter was discussed in the Cabinet on Wednesday.

“We have made certain decisions but all these are under the purview of the commission,” he said.

Liow was commenting on a report that quoted aviation sources that passengers flying to international destinations other than Asean would have to fork out more than 120% in PSC.

He said Malaysia’s airport char­ges were lower than those in other countries.

“Even with an increase, it is still considered as moderate,” he said.

On some quarters saying that it was not fair to impose same charges for international flights from KL International Airport and KLIA2 since KLIA provided better facilities, Liow said the country had a policy that assisted low-cost carriers.

“Any low-cost carrier is welcome to use KLIA2. There is no discrimination,” he said.

On the investigation into Flight MH17, Liow said he hoped the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) would be able to come up with a comprehensive report that identified the perpetrators behind the downing of the aircraft.

“We hope the JIT report will point to those responsible.

“We want justice to be done and for the perpetrators to be charged,” he said.

“The report should be ready by the end of this month or next month,” he said.

All 298 passengers and crew on board the ill-fated flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur perished when it was shot down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014.

Pro-Russian separatists were blamed for the downing of the Boeing 777 with a Buk surface-to-air missile.

On another matter, Liow reminded those who collaborated with syndicates that smuggled luxury cars meant for the scrap yard in Singapore would face stern action.

“Cloning cars is a big crime,” he said.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said yesterday it was looking for four key syndicate members who sold luxury vehicles to buyers in the country.