Dr Wee: Flight frequency from Miri to Lawas, Limbang up

Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong

MIRI: Flight frequency from Miri to Lawas and Limbang will be increased following complaints from the public who have found it difficult to get flight tickets to return for the Sarawak election.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the frequency will increase from Dec 11 until 31, involving 307 flights.

“I have instructed Mavcom (Malaysian Aviation Commission) to study the situation because we need to increase the flights (to Lawas and Limbang) and increase public accessibility from one destination to the other,” he told a media conference after opening the Miri Marine Office of the Sarawak Region Marine Department here yesterday.

The Election Commission has fixed Dec 18 as the polling day for the Sarawak Election and Dec 6 as the nomination day, with early voting set for Dec 14.

Bernama also reported on the new RM9mil federal government project known as the Sarawak Region Marine Department building was completed in August last year.

Dr Wee said the building boasts the latest design and furnished with modern office facilities that can accommodate 40 personnel.“The Ministry of Transport has always prioritised the role of the Marine Department Malaysia (JLM) in the growth of the country’s maritime industry.

“As a maritime nation, our economy is highly dependent on the maritime industry, which encompasses various sectors such as ports, shipping, tourism and fisheries,” he said in his speech during the official opening of the office yesterday.

He said all these sectors could positively impact the country’s economic growth in line with the nation’s goal in achieving developed country status.

He also said the federal government had approved the construction of part of the Marine Office jetty in Sarikei, costing RM3.6mil.

The new jetty in Sariket is capable of offering a safe and conducive environment capable of providing the best services to its customers and increasing monitoring activities for safe navigation in the Sarikei waters, he said.

Also present at the ceremony were his deputy Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Ministry of Transport Deputy Chief Secretary Datuk Razali Mohamad and JLM Assistant Director-General Wan Enduk Wan Salleh.