PETALING JAYA: Ipoh Timur MP Wong Kah Woh should check his facts before making statements on the price of flight tickets from Ipoh to Singapore during Chinese New Year next year, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The Transport Minister said based on a check by the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), Wong's statement on Facebook about high ticket prices was not true and confusing.
"Mavcom has confirmed that the price of flight tickets from Ipoh to Singapore on Jan 19, 20 and 21, 2023, is RM196.
"The first day of Chinese New Year next year will fall on Jan 22," he said in a Facebook post on Sunday (May 15).
Dr Wee added that the price of flight tickets from Singapore to Ipoh via AirAsia on the same dates next year was RM1,185.
He said based on the data given,the cost for a return air ticket was not RM3,283 as Wong claimed on Facebook.
He said the price of flight tickets a week before and after Chinese New Year next year was even cheaper.
He said, for example, that the price of AirAsia tickets from Ipoh to Singapore from Jan 16 to 18 would be RM184 whereas flights on Jan 23 and 24 would cost between RM408 and RM691.
He also said the AirAsia ticket price from Singapore to Ipoh from Jan 16 to 18 would be between RM434 and RM821.
"As for the flights on Jan 23 and 24, the prices are between RM408 and RM517," the MCA president said, adding that this showed there were cheaper alternatives and options for travellers.
Dr Wee said Wong should have proven his claims with evidence and an explanation to facilitate investigations into the claim.
He said Wong cannot assume that the price of flight tickets for next year would be the same as in 2019.
He said he had checked with one of the airlines regarding Wong's claim that during the Pakatan Harapan administration, former transport minister Anthony Loke was able to "reduce" ticket prices simply by ordering the airline to do so.
"The answer I got was, 'Not true at all'. This, once again, shows that YB Wong, as the Public Accounts Committee chairman, is not telling the truth," he said.
He also advised Wong to check his facts before blatantly making accusations.
"Check first before posting, and don't blame the media for misquoting your claim," Dr Wee said.
